Frenkie de Jong expresses regret that Barcelona were unable to arrange a transaction that would have brought him and Lionel Messi back together.
- Argentine superstar hitting free agency
- Linked with a return to Catalunya
- Will be chasing an American dream instead
WHAT HAPPENED? As it became clear that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, the freshly crowned La Liga champions were extensively connected with a prodigal son. No agreement was achieved after discussions between Messi’s agents and the Barca board; as a result, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be saying goodbye to European football and joining MLS team Inter Miami.
WHAT THEY SAID: Every team would like to have Lionel there, since he makes a difference anytime, everywhere, said Dutch midfielder De Jong in response to Barca’s failure to get Messi back to Catalunya. De Jong spent two years training with the Argentine between 2019 and 2021. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t visit Barcelona. I would have wanted him there and thought his comeback was excellent. Now we’ll see who enlists and who withdraws.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Financial struggles have made it difficult for Barca to put deals in place for marquee additions, with sales expected to be sanctioned this summer in an effort to raise funds. De Jong is among those to have generated plenty of speculation in recent windows, as he was heavily linked with Manchester United, but the 26-year-old midfielder is expecting to stay put. He added on his own future: “I feel good at Barcelona. If all goes well I will stay there. You can’t say anything 100% but I guess next season I will play for Barcelona.”
IN THREE PHOTOS:
Getty
Getty
Getty/GOAL
WHAT NEXT? Barca are bidding farewell to club stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba this summer, with there plenty of rumours to be found regarding possible additions as attention shifts away from the long-running pursuit of 2022 World Cup winner Messi.
