Key Takeaways:
- Frenkie de Jong sustained a hamstring injury during Barcelona’s training session today
- The Dutch midfielder could miss up to seven matches, including crucial league and European fixtures
- Manager Hansi Flick must reassess midfield options as the squad navigates high-profile absences
De Jong Sidelined following Training Injury
Barcelona have been dealt a significant blow after Frenkie de Jong suffered a hamstring injury in training earlier today. The Dutch international was forced to leave the session early and is currently undergoing medical assessments. Preliminary reports indicate that de Jong could be dealing with a minor muscle tear. The club is still waiting on definitive test results before offering a formal prognosis.
If the standard recovery period for a minor muscle tear applies, de Jong is expected to be unavailable for three to four weeks. This timeline threatens to sideline him for a series of key fixtures, potentially until the conclusion of the March international break. The midfielder may only return in time for the final matches prior to the break, depending on his recovery progress.
🚨 BREAKING: Frenkie de Jong has suffered a biceps femoral injury.
He will be out for at least 4 weeks.
— @fansjavimiguel pic.twitter.com/tuvIDPcXMz
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 26, 2026
Potential Fixtures Missed Due to Injury
Should de Jong remain absent for the predicted three to four week period, he is set to miss at least five fixtures. These include high-stakes encounters with Villarreal (home), Atletico Madrid (home), Athletic Club (away), either Newcastle United or Paris Saint-German (away), and Sevilla (home). His continued absence could extend to the return leg against Newcastle United or Paris Saint-German at home and the pre-international break clash with Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou. In total, the tally of missed matches could reach seven.
| Fixture | Venue | De Jong’s Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Villarreal | Home | Expected to miss |
| Atletico Madrid | Home | Expected to miss |
| Athletic Club | Away | Expected to miss |
| Newcastle United/Paris Saint-German | Away | Expected to miss |
| Sevilla | Home | Expected to miss |
| Newcastle United/Paris Saint-German (return leg) | Home | At risk of missing |
| Rayo Vallecano | Home | At risk of missing |
Selection Dilemma for Flick
The absence of de Jong poses a tactical challenge for Hansi Flick, especially with his favoured midfield partnership with Pedri disrupted. Recent weeks have seen Dani Olmo filling in deeper during Pedri’s own recovery, but Olmo himself is only now regaining full match fitness. Other midfield candidates include Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, who share similar profiles, while Eric Garcia has previously been deployed in a shielding role ahead of the back four earlier in the campaign. Gavi’s impending return offers another potential solution, but Flick is expected to manage the youngster’s minutes carefully as part of his return to action.
