Barcelona confirm Frenkie de Jong injury and how much time midfielder will miss

Barcelona have officially confirmed that midfielder Frenkie de Jong will be sidelined for five to six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during training. The club released a statement on Thursday detailing the extent of the problem, which is expected to keep the Dutch international out of action until early April.

“First-team player Frenkie de Jong sustained an injury to the distal biceps of his right leg during this morning’s training session,” the statement read. “Medical tests have confirmed that the expected recovery period will be approximately five to six weeks.”

The 26-year-old’s absence will be felt across multiple competitions. De Jong is set to miss both legs of Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 tie, as well as the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final clash with Atlético Madrid. In La Liga, he will be unavailable for upcoming fixtures against Villarreal, Athletic Club, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano.

Initially, reports suggested De Jong could return within a month, but the club’s timeline indicates a longer lay-off, potentially ruling him out for up to eight league matches and key knockout games.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick will now be forced to reshuffle his midfield options as the club navigates a congested schedule. De Jong has been a consistent presence in the engine room this season, and his composure on the ball and ability to dictate tempo will be missed during a crucial stretch of the campaign.

The timing of the injury adds pressure to a squad already managing a thin senior roster. With Champions League progression and domestic cup ambitions on the line, Flick must now rely on alternative solutions in the center of the park.

Barcelona have not indicated whether any further medical assessments will alter the recovery timeline. For now, the club and fans alike will be hoping for a smooth rehabilitation process that sees De Jong return ahead of the season’s decisive months.