Frenkie de Jong has offered a rare and honest look into his Barcelona journey, reflecting on the highs, the pressure, and even the moments when he thought about walking away.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian (h/t SPORT), the Dutch midfielder shared insight into how life at Barcelona has changed him both on and off the pitch.
From the very beginning, De Jong admits the expectations at Barcelona are unlike anywhere else. Explaining the demands that come with wearing the shirt, he said,
“You’re expected to win trophies every year.”
Despite that pressure, he also pointed out that the club has gone through a period of transition. Looking back at the challenges following the pandemic, he explained,
“After Covid, a lot of key players left, and we were playing with a lot of young lads. That takes a bit more time.
“It took a year or two, I think, and then some new signings arrived as well.”
Commitment to Barcelona
Through it all, De Jong has remained committed to the club. Speaking about his personal feelings, he made his connection to Barcelona very clear.
“I really enjoy every day I get to come here because that’s what I always wanted: to play for Barcelona.”
Perhaps the most revealing part of the interview came when De Jong spoke about his future and past transfer interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Frenkie de Jong has addressed the transfer rumours. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Reflecting on that period, he admitted, “Of course, it crosses your mind sometimes, like: ‘OK, what should I do?’
“As long as I’m good enough to start here, to make an impact, and Barcelona are at the level I want to play at, with the feeling that they’re competing for major titles, there’s no reason for me to leave.”
He also addressed the constant speculation around his contract during that time, saying,
“The press can have a huge influence on how people see you. Everything revolved around my contract”, before clarifying that the reported figures “weren’t true”.
Squad analysis
Looking at the current squad, De Jong sounded optimistic about the future. He described the group as “a very open, fairly young team with lots of energy”, before adding that it carries “a lot of potential”.
He also singled out Marcus Rashford for his impact, stating, “He contributes a lot with his pace and his ability to get behind the defence.”
The midfielder also reflected on some of his most memorable moments in a Barcelona shirt.
One that stood out was the dramatic 2023 El Clasico win, where Franck Kessie scored a late winner.
“It put us 12 points clear and gave us the confidence that we would win La Liga.”
He concluded by highlighting other big occasions, including a thrilling 4-3 league victory and a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, adding, “Those are the matches you remember.”
