Frenkie de Jong has been removed from the Barcelona captaincy ahead of the new season following a decision made by head coach Hansi Flick, according to Cadena SER.
The report says the change was not initiated by the club hierarchy but by Flick himself. The German manager is understood to be unhappy with De Jong over the way the midfielder managed an injury during the World Cup and the period that followed it.
De Jong played at the tournament despite having an injury, before going on holiday after the Netherlands’ elimination. He reportedly underwent medical examinations only after returning from his break, a sequence of events that angered Flick.
The 29-year-old is currently recovering from a knee ligament injury and is expected to return to action towards the end of the year. His absence means he will not be available to Barcelona at the start of the campaign.
De Jong featured in all four of the Netherlands’ matches at the World Cup. The Dutch side were eliminated by Morocco in the last-32 stage, but De Jong remained involved throughout the team’s run before later taking time away and completing his medical checks.
Flick’s decision therefore represents a significant change in De Jong’s position within the Barcelona squad. The midfielder had held captaincy status before the start of the season, but the responsibility has now been taken away following the disagreement over his fitness and recovery process.
The issue centres on the timing of the injury and the medical assessment that followed. According to the report, Flick objected to De Jong playing at the World Cup while injured and then delaying examinations until after his holiday. The coach’s response was to exclude him from the group of Barcelona captains.
Barcelona’s next fixture is against Elche on Sunday in the opening round of La Liga. De Jong will not be expected to feature because of the knee ligament problem, with his return projected for later in the year.
The decision comes as Barcelona prepare to begin their league campaign without one of their senior midfielders. It also leaves De Jong facing a period away from first-team football while he recovers from the injury that has ruled him out.
For now, the captaincy change reflects Flick’s personal judgement rather than a formal decision announced by Barcelona. The club’s first match of the season against Elche will provide the immediate focus, while De Jong’s rehabilitation is set to continue ahead of a possible return closer to the end of the year.