Tue Oct 01 19:58:27 UTC 2024: ## De Jong Rebuts Salary Claims and Injury Surgery Rumors as He Returns to Training

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has returned to training after a five-month layoff due to a recurring ankle injury, refuting claims that he turned down surgery and earns a staggering €37 million annually.

The Dutch international, who has suffered three ankle injuries this year, has been sidelined since April’s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid. The injury forced him to miss the European Championship and the start of the new season under Barcelona’s new coach Hansi Flick.

“It’s been a tough process,” De Jong told Barcelona One, “because playing football is what I love most. It’s my passion. When you can’t play big games, when you miss the Euros and many games with Barça, it’s really hard, really difficult.”

De Jong emphasized that he chose to stay silent during his recovery period, leading to misinformation being spread about his salary and unwillingness to undergo surgery. “It is not true that the club told me I had to have an operation and I didn’t want one. Everyone at the club, the doctors and myself all agreed that surgery was not the best option,” he clarified.

De Jong is expected to return after the October international break, providing much-needed depth to Barcelona’s midfield. The Catalan giants currently lead La Liga after eight games, despite a surprising 4-2 loss to Osasuna on Saturday.

Barcelona will face a challenging schedule in October, with games against Sevilla, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Espanyol. De Jong’s return will be crucial in maintaining their league lead and making a strong run in the Champions League.

Despite his injury struggles, De Jong remains a key player for Barcelona, with a contract that expires in the summer of 2026.

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