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Frenkie de Jong praises Lionel Messi as ideal footballer amid World Cup push

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 6:00 AM

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

Frenkie de Jong praises Lionel Messi as ideal footballer amid World Cup push

Summary

Frenkie de Jong expressed admiration for Lionel Messi, calling him the 'perfect footballer' during an interview. The Dutch midfielder played 60 minutes in the Netherlands' ongoing World Cup match against Sweden, completing 96% of his passes. De Jong, despite facing fitness issues, emphasized his passion for football and dreams of winning the World Cup. He noted the historical significance of the tournament for players and is optimistic about his team's chances.

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Status Watch

•De Jong played 60 minutes for the Netherlands against Sweden.
•He completed 96% of passes in the match.
•De Jong commented on Messi's prowess as a player.
•He shared his lifelong passion for football.
•The Netherlands aims to win the World Cup.

Latest Updates

6:00 AMYahoo Sports — Frenkie de Jong waxes lyrical over Lionel Messi: ‘The perfect footballer’

What they're saying

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