oi-Prateek Bannerjee
Barcelona fans received some tough news this Thursday as the club confirmed that star midfielder Frenkie de Jong injured his right leg during training. While fans hoped it was a small problem, medical tests showed a hamstring tear. This means the Dutch player will be off the field for five to six weeks.
The timing of this injury creates a strange and difficult situation for manager Hansi Flick. For months, Barcelona has struggled to get all their best midfielders healthy at the same time. In a twist of bad luck, De Jong’s injury happened just a few days after Pedri finally returned from his own hamstring trouble.
It feels like a “one in, one out” revolving door for the team. Just as Flick was preparing to use his strongest midfield duo, he has been forced to change his plans again. This puts immediate pressure on young players like Marc Bernal to step up and fill the gap during the most important part of the season.
De Jong is not just missing a few small matches; he is missing the “heart” of the season. The goal is to have De Jong back after the March international break. If his recovery goes well, he might return for the big game against Atletico Madrid in early April or a potential Champions League quarter-final.
For now, Hansi Flick must find a way to keep Barcelona’s momentum going without one of his most experienced leaders. The team is surviving, but this “midfield musical chairs” is making their fight for trophies much harder.
Amid this, the Blaugranas have been drawn against Newcastle United in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. The Spanish club can also potentially face Arsenal in the semis if both clubs progress through to that stage of the competition.
Story first published: Friday, February 27, 2026, 18:08 [IST]
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