De Jong doubted ankle damage would heal forward of Netherlands return

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong doubted whether or not his troublesome ankle damage would ever go away however is now wanting ahead to resuming his worldwide profession after a pause of greater than a yr.

De Jong spent nearly six months on the sidelines earlier than returning for Hansi Flick’s LaLiga leaders final month, however he has not represented the Netherlands since September 2023.

A collection of ankle points prevented him from that includes within the majority of the Oranje’s Euro 2024 qualifiers and brought about him to overlook the ultimate event in Germany, the place they went out within the semi-finals to England.

He’ll probably get enjoying time within the Nations League on Saturday when Ronald Koeman’s group host Hungary in Amsterdam of their penultimate Group A3 match.

“Did I wonder if I’d ever totally get well? That crossed my thoughts typically, however I at all times had the arrogance that I’d finally have the ability to play soccer once more,” De Jong advised reporters on Wednesday.

“There was uncertainty about how lengthy it might take and whether or not my ankle could be fully the identical because it was earlier than.”

The 27-year-old mentioned the toughest half was lacking this yr’s European Championships, as a late Ollie Watkins purpose dashed the Netherlands’ goals of repeating their Euro 1988 triumph.

“That was powerful. I watched all of the matches of the Dutch nationwide group however not a lot of the remainder. I didn’t wish to be confronted with it each time,” De Jong mentioned.

He was taken off on Sunday when Barcelona misplaced at Actual Sociedad in LaLiga, however fears he would miss out for the Netherlands once more had been later abated.

“I first received a blow on the muscle subsequent to my shin after which one other kick, but it surely was nothing to do with my knee or ankle,” he mentioned.

“I knew it was not a severe damage, but it surely did hassle me quite a bit.”