Frenkie de Jong is expected to resume training with Barcelona’s non-international players on Monday after recovering from a medial ligament tear.
The Netherlands international has not played a minute for Barcelona in the 2026/27 season after suffering the injury while representing his country at this past summer’s FIFA World Cup.
De Jong was forced off during extra-time of the Netherlands’ round-of-16 penalty shoot-out defeat by Morocco. The problem was later confirmed as a ligament tear, but his latest activity on social media suggests he is now close to returning.
The 29-year-old posted photographs on Instagram on Saturday showing him working at Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground. The session included exercises both with and without the ball.
According to Mundo Deportivo, De Jong is expected to rejoin full team training imminently. He is due to work alongside Barcelona’s non-international players from Monday, while the complete squad will begin preparations for Saturday’s LaLiga meeting with Getafe on Thursday.
De Jong is unlikely to be involved against Getafe because he has not yet regained match fitness. His return to training, however, could make him available to manager Hansi Flick in the weeks ahead.
His progress provides another positive development for a Barcelona side that has made an unbeaten start to the campaign. The Catalan club are top of the LaLiga table after winning all seven of their matches so far.
Barcelona also began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord as they started their challenge for the trophy.
De Jong joined Barcelona in 2019 and has made 297 appearances for the club. During that time, he has won three LaLiga titles.
