Netherlands legend suggests Barcelona midfielder to ‘go home’ after national team return | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong’s return to the Netherlands national team was a key highlight during their dominant 4-0 win over Hungary.

The 27-year-old midfielder delivered a strong performance that drew significant praise. However, the decision to have him on the bench for Tuesday’s match against Bosnia-Herzegovina has sparked some debate.

Former footballer Rafael van der Vaart, known for his time with Real Madrid and Ajax, has voiced concerns about De Jong continuing to play, given his ongoing ankle issues.

Van der Vaart is not happy

Van der Vaart suggested that De Jong should prioritise his fitness and consider returning to Barcelona to manage his recovery. He emphasised the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks that could aggravate the injury.

“He had a great game, but he can and must be even better. That makes sense. He has achieved a lot, but now he has to stay fit. He is a fantastic player who will benefit us greatly,” said the former international as quoted by SPORT.

Frenkie de Jong returned to international duty against Hungary. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

While praising De Jong’s abilities and potential to become even better, Van der Vaart pointed out that playing with an injury, particularly a delicate ankle, could lead to long-term discomfort or setbacks.

He argued that taking a cautious approach would benefit both De Jong and Barcelona in the long run.

“If it were up to me, I would tell him to go home. He doesn’t need any more trips. He has to be careful with that ankle. It’s quite dangerous. It gets into your head and causes discomfort,” he noted.

De Jong is still not well

De Jong himself has acknowledged that he is still experiencing pain in his ankle. Despite this, he remains optimistic that playing regularly will help him overcome the discomfort and regain peak form.

“I’m not saying it’s a risk, but the feeling is not the same as before. It should improve from now on,” said the Dutchman after the Hungary game.

His participation in international matches comes at a time when his performances are critical for both club and country, but the lingering injury has raised questions about whether he is risking further complications.