Barcelona’s midfield maestro, Frenkie de Jong, is poised to spend a significant spell on the sidelines due to a debilitating ankle injury sustained during their intense La Liga showdown with Celta Vigo on Saturday. Spanish reports have indicated that the Dutch international could be out of action for up to five weeks, dealing a blow to Barcelona’s campaign.
The unfortunate incident unfolded in the first half of the thrilling encounter where Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Celta Vigo. De Jong was forced to leave the pitch, causing immediate concern among fans and teammates alike.
Barcelona, in a bid to keep their supporters informed, promptly issued an official statement confirming De Jong’s injury, specifying that it was his right ankle that had taken the brunt of the impact. However, the statement did not divulge the exact duration of his expected absence from the team.
This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Barcelona, as De Jong is set to be sidelined for crucial upcoming fixtures. One such clash that he’s likely to miss is Barcelona’s high-stakes visit to Porto in the Champions League scheduled for October 4. Additionally, there’s growing uncertainty surrounding his availability for the highly anticipated Clasico showdown against Real Madrid in La Liga on October 28.
The news adds to Barcelona’s mounting injury concerns in their midfield department. Promising young midfielder Pedri continues to battle a nagging thigh injury, making him unavailable for selection. On a brighter note, the Catalan giants did receive a boost with the return of center-back Ronald Araujo, who had been sidelined due to a hamstring problem. Araujo made his comeback as a substitute during the intense contest against Celta Vigo, offering some respite to the beleaguered Barcelona defense.
As Barcelona navigates this injury setback, the team’s fans and management will anxiously await further updates on Frenkie de Jong’s recovery and hope for a swift return to the pitch for the influential midfielder.
