De Jong joins Barca sickbay after picking up knock on international duty

Frenkie de Jong is expected to miss Barcelona’s upcoming home match against Valencia due to a groin injury sustained in a 2026 World Cup qualifier when playing for the Netherlands, the Catalan club announced Monday.

Midfielder De Jong limped off late in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Poland, and was then absent from the Netherlands’ 3-2 win in Lithuania on Sunday.

The Dutch top Group G with 10 points after four of eight qualifiers, while De Jong’s club Barcelona are two points behind leaders Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao ahead of this weekend’s fourth round of La Liga.

“Frenkie de Jong has suffered a slight injury to the external obturator muscle in his right leg,” the Spanish champions said in a statement on their website.

“His recovery will determine his availability.”

The injury likely rules the 28-year-old out of at least Sunday’s encounter with Valencia after he had started two of the first three games prior to the international break.

Fellow Barcelona midfielder Gavi is being rested and may need knee surgery, while left-back Alejandro Balde is nursing a biceps problem in the Barca treatment room.

Ahead of the return of club football, the Catalan giants have an even bigger headache with their revamped Camp Nou stadium as yet unlicenced for reopening.

Their temporary home at the former Olympic Stadium at Montjuic is hosting a Post Malone concert this weekend.

Barcelona may therefore be forced to play at their 6,000-capacity training ground, but the Estadi Johan Cruyff is as yet unequipped with VAR facilities.