Barcelona midfield superstar playing with caution to avoid fourth injury and surgery | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been battling an ongoing ankle injury that has left him feeling uncertain about his performance on the pitch.

According to a recent report from Esport3 (h/t FCB World), De Jong has been playing with a sense of caution, knowing that any further damage to the same spot could force him to undergo surgery.

This fear stems from the fact that if he injures the same area for a fourth time, surgery will be necessary, which has understandably weighed on his mind.

Recent return

De Jong’s journey back to full fitness has been a long one. After being sidelined for nearly six months, he made his return to the field last month.

The lengthy absence kept him out of most of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and the final tournament in Germany, where the Netherlands were eliminated by England in the semi-finals.

Throughout his recovery, De Jong has often questioned whether he would ever be able to return to his best form. However, despite his doubts, he always held on to the belief that he would eventually be able to play football again.

Frenkie de Jong is playing out of fear. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

In a recent La Liga match against Real Sociedad, he took another blow to his leg, which raised concerns among fans and team officials alike.

Fortunately, the midfielder confirmed that the injury was not related to his ankle or knee, offering some relief.

De Jong is not giving up

Although the blow caused significant discomfort, De Jong remained confident it wasn’t a serious issue. However, the fact that such injuries continue to trouble him highlights the physical and mental toll that his recovery process has taken.

For now, It is clear that De Jong is currently playing with a degree of fear, aware of the potential consequences if he pushes himself too hard.

Despite his struggles, the midfielder has avoided surgery in the past, but he now understands that another setback in the same area could force him into a tough decision.

This ongoing uncertainty is likely the reason why De Jong has not been performing at the level he once did.

Barcelona must now find a way to help him regain his confidence and fitness, as the team needs the best version of him on the pitch to succeed.