Frenkie de Jong Reflects on Barcelona Journey with Disappointment Over Lack of Trophies
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has opened up about his time at the club, expressing disappointment over the limited silverware he has won since joining the Catalan giants in 2019.
Speaking to Voetbal International, the Dutch international said, “When I signed for Barcelona, I didn’t imagine winning only a La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup after four years. I expected at least double, so that disappoints me. Things happen on the road you can’t predict.”
De Jong, who joined Barcelona from Ajax for £75 million after an extraordinary season with the Dutch side, arrived with high expectations. His move followed Ajax’s impressive run to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League semifinals, where De Jong played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
Despite showing immense promise and consistently delivering top performances for the Blaugrana, the club has faced a turbulent period during De Jong’s tenure.
Barcelona has dealt with managerial changes, financial struggles, and underwhelming performances in Europe, falling short of the lofty standards set by the club’s illustrious history.
Since De Jong’s arrival, Barcelona has secured the 2022/23 La Liga title, the 2020/21 Copa del Rey, and the 2022 Spanish Super Cup. However, the midfielder’s ambitions and expectations when signing for one of Europe’s most iconic clubs extended far beyond these achievements.
Now 26, De Jong remains a vital part of Barcelona’s midfield, earning praise for his technical brilliance and composure on the ball but he has consistently been sidelined with various degrees of injury that has hampered the realization of his full potential.
Despite the setbacks, he continues to aim for more success with the club as they work towards regaining their dominance on the domestic and European stages.