Frenkie de Jong is nearing the final stage of his recovery program, with optimism surrounding his potential return to Barcelona’s group training within a month, provided he suffers no further setbacks.
Barcelona are managing the Dutch midfielder’s recovery with caution after opting for conservative treatment over surgery, despite initial recommendations from the medical staff favoring a surgical procedure as the safer long-term resolution.
According to Mundo Deportivo, De Jong is targeting October 8 for his rejoin date with the squad, coinciding with the return of international players following the break that concludes on October 6.
The 29-year-old suffered a tear in the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of his right knee. Barcelona officially confirmed the diagnosis on July 23, while coaching staff information indicates the injury occurred around June 16 during training with the Netherlands national team at the World Cup.
The full extent of the injury was delayed after an initial, inaccurate diagnosis by the Dutch national team medical staff permitted him to continue playing. Subsequent medical evaluations by Barcelona revealed the true severity, explaining the initial discrepancy between a four-month absence estimate and an accelerated return timeline via conservative treatment.
De Jong is currently limited to straight-line running on grass and has not yet resumed ball work, contact drills, or sudden changes of direction. Consequently, an October 8 return applies strictly to team training sessions and does not guarantee immediate match availability.
Prior to his injury, the midfielder delivered a productive campaign, featuring in 38 matches across all competitions, scoring 1 goal and providing 9 assists. His La Liga tally included 25 appearances, 1 goal, and 5 assists.
However, his recurring injury history remains a concern for the club. De Jong missed 266 days and 46 matches during the 2023–2024 season—primarily due to repeated ankle issues—followed by 72 days and 16 matches in the 2025–2026 season, including 45 days due to a muscle injury, prior to his current knee ailment.
