It has not been a memorable summer for Barcelona’s captains, for two of the four captains have left the club while one has been deep in controversy after his injury at the FIFA World Cup.
Ronald Araujo and Marc Andre Ter-Stegen both left Barcelona on loans this summer to join Liverpool and Ajax respectively, leaving Frenkie de Jong as the captain in charge.
The Dutchman himself, however, has been targeted by the media and has reportedly lost the manager’s trust after aggravating an injury at the World Cup. He is now ruled out for several months and his condition has not improved in weeks.
De Jong’s thoughts on signings and academy stars
De Jong could only praise the academy. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Frenkie de Jong recently spoke with the club official media in a long and fiery interview about all the misinformation on his situation, his injury and a plethora of other topics where he openly discussed how he got injured and how it was not his doing.
As part of the same media interaction, the Dutchman spoke out about certain aspects of his time at Barcelona including the UEFA Champions League hopes and the academy.
The player first commented on La Masia and how he was genuinely impressed by the academy’s stunning output of talent.
“La Masia is incredible. Every year players come through that we don’t even know, and then within a year they become very important players for the team. That is the DNA of the club.”
De Jong’s injury is a serious blow. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
He then spoke on the club’s new signings of the summer and how he was helping them adapt to Barcelona’s style as a captain of the first team.
“They are very good players and very good people. They are going to help us a lot, and I’m trying to help them adapt as easily as possible.”
Finally, De Jong gave his two cents on the UEFA Champions League and how going all the way in the competition was a dream for him and all the players in the dressing room.
“Every year we want to win everything. I think there is especially a huge amount of excitement and ambition around the Champions League.”