Frenkie de Jong's season is OVER! Barcelona star ruled out of La Liga run-in - but Dutchman survives Euro 2024 scare

The Dutch midfielder was forced out of Barca’s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid in first-half stoppage-time. Following a collision with Blancos star Fede Valverde, and after undergoing treatment on the field, De Jong was taken off on a stretcher and looked in distress.

According to ESPN, his 2023-24 campaign has been brought to a close. It is claimed that another ankle problem will keep him sidelined for around five weeks. De Jong had said of his fitness struggles heading into the meeting with Real: “I have been unhappy with injuries this season. At the beginning of the season someone fell on top of my ankle and it bothered me for a long time. When I got injured again in March, it was another big blow.”

De Jong sat out two months of action between September and November, before taking in another month-long break in March and April. A third ankle problem has him back on the treatment table, with Barca having just six La Liga fixtures to take in this season.

There is little for the Blaugrana to play for, as they sit nine points off the title pace in La Liga, and De Jong can focus on his rehabilitation without being rushed. He should be back in time to make Ronald Koeman’s plans for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.