Blow for Barcelona’s title hopes as club captain leaves international duty due to injury

Barcelona’s title charge has been dealt a worrying blow after captain Frenkie de Jong was forced to withdraw from international duty with the Netherlands due to injury concerns.

The midfielder, who has been central to Hansi Flick’s system this season, has returned to Catalonia ahead of vital fixtures for both club and country.

The incident occurred late in the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw against Poland in Rotterdam, where Ronald Koeman’s men dropped points despite dominating possession.

Aston Villa’s Matty Cash struck a late equaliser to cancel out Denzel Dumfries’ opener, but the bigger talking point came in the final minutes.

Koeman substituted De Jong in the 86th minute after the midfielder complained of discomfort. Initially, Koeman downplayed concerns, describing it as “tightness in his glute” and stressing that the decision was precautionary.

However, the Dutch FA has since confirmed that De Jong will not feature in their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on September 7. Instead, he has returned to Barcelona for further evaluation, sparking concern among Blaugrana fans who are all too familiar with his injury record.

The 28-year-old has endured several fitness setbacks in recent seasons, making his availability a constant source of worry in both Amsterdam and Catalonia.

For Barcelona, the timing of De Jong’s withdrawal could not be worse. Flick’s side resumes La Liga action on September 14 with a crucial home fixture against Valencia, and the captain’s presence is viewed as indispensable in midfield.

De Jong has rediscovered his form this season, dictating play with composure and driving the team’s title ambitions. His absence, even temporarily, would weaken Barcelona’s engine room and disrupt the rhythm Flick has carefully built.

Beyond the immediate concern, the club is also in talks to extend De Jong’s contract beyond 2026, with negotiations hinging on his long-term fitness and leadership role.

Losing him for any extended spell would not only impact results on the pitch but also cast a shadow over those discussions.

While Koeman’s comments suggest the decision to pull him out was precautionary, Barcelona will still worry about de Jong’s immediate fitness with important LaLiga and Champions League games coming up.