Netherlands are just a day away before they kickstart their first World Cup campaign since 2014. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to be one of their protagonists as the nation looks to restore its lost glory in this coveted competition.
Just a day before the World Cup opener against Senegal, de Jong sat down with Mike Verweij (h/t Actualite-Barça), offering his thoughts on his transfer saga in the summer. He also talked about Barcelona and Xavi, especially amid uncertainties looming over his future at the club.
De Jong did not hold back either, publicly calling out those who wanted him to leave Barcelona in the summer.
“I blame those people [those at Barca who wanted him to leave], but I have nothing to do with them. Yes, they are Barça for me because they run the club. But I don’t see them when I’m at the club. I have nothing to do with them in my daily life,” de Jong said.
“One day a newspaper published the details of my contract. I didn’t disclose it and only one other party knew about it, so it must have been the club that did,” the midfielder added.
De Jong was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer. The Premier League tried desperately to get their hands on the Dutchman, but the move did not materialise as the player was keen on continuing at Camp Nou.
De Jong revealed his love for Barcelona in the interview, adding, “I am very happy in Barcelona. When I play it’s great and in terms of living here, life is perfect. I see myself at Barça for as long as possible. I personally hope for another 8 or 10 years.”
The former Ajax starlet’s comments come in the midst of reports that suggest the club have now made peace with the player. Head coach Xavi even sees the midfielder as the long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, who is likely to quit Barça at the end of the season.
Frenkie de Jong heaped priase on Xavi as well, indicating that the Barça coach was always in his side. “I never had the feeling that Xavi was against me. To the media he said that he was happy with me but that there is also the financial part of the club. I think it was difficult for him to talk about it. It is not he who makes these decisions.”
