Frenkie De Jong speaks out after being eliminated from Euro 2024

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is struggling with injury and will miss Euro 2024 with the Netherlands.

News of De Jong’s withdrawal from the Dutch national team emerged shortly after their 4-0 victory over Iceland in the early hours of June 11, in their final friendly before Euro 2024.

De Jong has been absent for nearly three months, having only played 45 minutes in the El Clasico match against Real Madrid on April 21. The former Ajax star suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury in Barcelona’s 0-0 draw with Athletic Club at the beginning of March.

The 27-year-old player was still listed in the Netherlands squad for Euro by head coach Ronald Koeman, with hopes that he would recover in time for the tournament, but that did not materialize.

In a post on Instagram, De Jong said: “I am very sad and disappointed not to be able to participate in the European Championship. We have done a lot of work in recent weeks, but unfortunately, my ankle needs more time.”

“It is my biggest dream and honor to represent my country in a European tournament. Wearing the orange shirt, singing the Wilhelmus, and feeling the support of the entire country. But now, I will be like all the other fans, cheering for our team from the sidelines. Let’s go, guys.”

All De Jong can do now is focus on recovering in time for the 2024/25 season with Barcelona. The summer training camp will begin in July, with the Blaugrana squad traveling to the United States for a tour towards the end of the month.

OFFICIAL NETHERLANDS SQUAD FOR EURO 2024

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan).

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Joey Veerman (PSV), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq).

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim).