Frenkie de Jong has suffered a significant setback after injuring the outer lower hamstring of his right leg during training, dealing a major blow to FC Barcelona at a critical stage of the season.
Medical tests confirmed the extent of the injury, and the Dutch midfielder is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks.
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The timing could hardly be worse for Barcelona, who are battling for position in LaLiga and preparing for a high-stakes Round of 16 matchup in the UEFA Champions League. Head coach Hansi Flick now faces the challenge of reshuffling his midfield without one of his most consistent performers.
Barcelona will face Newcastle United
Barcelona have been drawn against Newcastle United in the Champions League last 16. The first leg is set for Tuesday, March 10 at St. James' Park, before the return leg at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, March 18. De Jong's projected recovery timeline makes his availability for either leg highly unlikely.
The two clubs have already met this season in European play. Barcelona earned a 2-1 win at St. James' Park during the league phase, powered by two goals from Marcus Rashford, while goalkeeper Joan García delivered a strong performance between the posts. That earlier result will offer some confidence, but the absence of De Jong removes a key piece of Barcelona's midfield structure.
Should Barcelona advance past Newcastle, the quarterfinal bracket presents either Atlético Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur, with the first leg scheduled for April 7 or 8 and the return leg on April 14 or 15. On their side of the draw, potential semifinal opponents include Sporting CP, Bodø/Glimt, Arsenal, or Bayer Leverkusen.
Potential rivals for FC Barcelona
A hypothetical final could bring a matchup against European heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, Atalanta, Galatasaray, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, or Paris Saint-Germain.
De Jong's absence will be felt immediately. The 26-year-old has featured in 31 matches this season and recently scored his first goal of the campaign in a match against Levante. His ability to control tempo, progress the ball through midfield, and link defense to attack has made him central to Flick's system.
Beyond the immediate competitive implications, De Jong is also approaching a personal milestone. With 290 appearances for Barcelona, he is just two matches shy of equaling the club record for most appearances by a Dutch player, currently held by Phillip Cocu at 292.
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