Barcelona superstar Frenkie de Jong has spoken out about reports he refused to undergo surgery while earning an incredible wage at the club.
De Jong sustained a serious right ankle injury during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo in September 2023, which has caused ongoing issues for him over the following months.
Reports indicated that he had declined Barcelona’s requests for surgery on the injury, while others suggested he was earning an excessive salary despite the club’s financial struggles.
Now, the 27-year-old has addressed these claims, clarifying details about his recovery and salary.
Rumors suggested that the Dutchman earns €37 million (£31m), making him the highest-paid player at the club. However, in an interview with Barca One, De Jong stated, “It is not true that I earn 37 million. That’s a very big figure and is far from my actual earnings.”
He emphasized that the decision not to pursue surgery was a mutual agreement between him and Barcelona, opting for more traditional healing methods instead. “Throughout my recovery, I have chosen to stay silent,” he explained. “It is not true that the club insisted I have an operation, which I refused. Everyone at the club, including the doctors, agreed that surgery wasn’t the best option.”
He concluded, “It has been very frustrating for a player who lives and breathes football to be sidelined for an extended period.”
Sustaining three injuries to the same ankle has caused me some mental distress, but I’m slowly regaining my confidence to strike the ball hard and tackle aggressively.
“From the outside, the team appears full of energy and talent. I’m eager to be part of that and contribute my best.”
De Jong hasn’t played yet in the 2024/25 season, but as he nears the end of his recovery, he may make his debut against Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
