Frenkie de Jong is continuing his rehabilitation from the knee injury he suffered with the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, with Barcelona hoping the midfielder can resume full training after the international break.
De Jong has not played for Barcelona at any point this season. Although returning to team training would represent a significant stage in his recovery, it would not confirm that he is ready to play in a competitive match.
According to Barca Blaugranes, the 29-year-old could potentially return to action in November if his recovery continues without further setbacks. One possible scenario would see him feature against Alaves in La Liga, but Barcelona have not provided a confirmed timetable for his return.
The immediate priority is for De Jong to rejoin his team-mates and show that he can manage the demands of group training. His response to that stage will help determine when he can be considered for selection by manager Hansi Flick.
De Jong offered an indication of his progress by posting a carousel of photographs showing him working on his fitness at the Ciutat Esportiva. The midfielder was pictured in an FC Barcelona kit as he continued his rehabilitation programme.
However, the update does not mean he is close to an automatic return to the starting line-up. The report says De Jong still has further progress to make before he can be regarded as ready for selection.
His prolonged absence has influenced Barcelona’s midfield planning during the opening part of the campaign. The club’s need to look for additional midfield cover was one consequence of being without him, while Flick has had to work with the players currently available.
A return to full training after the international break would therefore give Barcelona another midfield option, but the club will assess his condition before making plans for a particular fixture. Training with the squad would be a checkpoint in the process, rather than a guarantee that he would immediately feature.
November remains a possibility, rather than a fixed return date. Barcelona will need to monitor how De Jong copes with the next phase of his rehabilitation before deciding when he can move closer to first-team action.
For now, the midfielder’s target is to work back into full training and build the fitness required for competitive football. If that stage goes well, he will be closer to a comeback, but his eventual availability will depend on how his recovery develops.
