The Netherlands’ hopes for a successful Euro 2024 campaign have taken a significant hit with the news that Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
The Barcelona midfielder, who sustained the injury late in the season, was initially included in Ronald Koeman’s squad amid hopes of a recovery. However, the tournament has come too soon for De Jong, who will now focus on regaining fitness for the 2024-25 club season.
The Netherlands are set to begin their Euro 2024 journey against Poland in Hamburg on June 16, followed by a challenging fixture against France in Leipzig, and a potentially decisive group stage match against Austria in Berlin. The game against France will be broadcast live on NBS Sport.
De Jong has been a crucial player for the Dutch side in recent years, playing pivotal roles in both Euro 2020 and the World Cup in Qatar. His absence leaves a notable gap in the midfield, where Koeman will need to make strategic adjustments. The coach has already led the team to back-to-back friendly victories without De Jong, including a 4-0 triumph over Iceland, with PSV’s Joey Veerman and Jordy Schouten stepping up.
De Jong’s ongoing ankle issues have been a concern, affecting his availability and performance, as highlighted by his limited play in April’s Clasico against Real Madrid. Former Barcelona coach Xavi emphasized De Jong’s importance to the team, despite the unfortunate injuries.
With De Jong out, Koeman may turn to experienced midfielder Gini Wijnaldum to provide stability and leadership in a relatively young midfield group. Wijnaldum, currently with Al-Ettifaq, is the only player in the squad with more than 25 senior caps, and his experience will be crucial as the Netherlands navigate their group.
