Frenkie de Jong addresses false reports about injury and manager relationship
ESPN Soccer • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 11:58 AM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has publicly refuted recent rumors concerning his knee injury and relationship with manager Julian Nagelsmann. Speaking on Barça Play, De Jong labeled the allegations as 'fake news' and expressed frustration over their impact on his image. He specifically denied claims that he refused to play against Atletico Madrid last season and asserted that his relationship with the manager is good. De Jong is currently sidelined due to a tear in his right knee's medial collateral ligament and plans to continue addressing inaccuracies regarding his situation.
- •De Jong facing a lengthy recovery from a right knee injury.
- •Claims of a refusal to play against Atletico Madrid are false.
- •Relationship with manager Nagelsmann is reportedly good.
- •De Jong directly called out journalist Gerard Romero for spreading misinformation.
- •He intends to challenge inaccurate claims about his fitness and status.
- 12:31 PMESPN Soccer — Barça's De Jong on Flick rift report: 'Fake news'
- 11:15 AMYahoo Sports — De Jong calls out media over false claims: ‘It’s not true that I refused to play vs Atletico or that I have a bad relationship with Flick’
"Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has addressed the speculation surrounding his recent injury, using a public appearance to deny several reports about his fitness, his relationship with the club an...
"Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has hit out at fake news that has "angered and irritated" him after being ruled out for months with a knee injury.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerAug 14, 2026, 12:31 PMBarça's De Jong on Flick rift report: 'Fake news'
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has hit out at fake news that has "angered and irritated" him after being ruled out for months with a knee injury.
- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 11:15 AMDe Jong calls out media over false claims: ‘It’s not true that I refused to play vs Atletico or that I have a bad relationship with Flick’
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has addressed the speculation surrounding his recent injury, using a public appearance to deny several reports about his fitness, his relationship with the club an...
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