Frenkie de Jong Targets Champions League Glory Before Closing Barcelona Chapter
FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has set his sights on winning the Champions League before bringing his career at the Catalan club to a close, saying such an achievement is essential for any player who spends a decade at the Camp Nou.
The Netherlands international, who recently extended his contract with Barcelona until 2029, spoke to ESPN during the international break about his ambitions, club loyalty, and long-term goals with both Barcelona and the Dutch national team.
“If you play for Barcelona for six or ten years, you have to win the Champions League at least once,” De Jong said. “I still have work to do. The future looks bright here, with the talent coming through and the strength of our current squad. Extending my contract made perfect sense — I’m happy at Barcelona.”
The 27-year-old also dismissed speculation about a potential move away from Spain, stressing that he never seriously considered leaving despite interest from Premier League clubs.
“There were always clubs that asked, but I was never open to it,” he explained. “Do I have to go to the Premier League to prove my worth? I don’t think so. It’s the best league right now, just as La Liga was ten years ago, but that doesn’t mean you need to play there to show you’re a great player. I already fulfilled my childhood dream by joining Barcelona.”
De Jong revealed that his contract renewal was delayed by injury concerns rather than uncertainty about his future. “I injured my ankle early last year and wanted to see how I’d recover. From a tactical point of view, it’s not smart to renew when you’re struggling physically. It’s better to do it when you’re performing well,” he said.
The midfielder also praised his teammate Robert Lewandowski, who will face him when the Netherlands play Poland during the international break. “Robert has been showing his class for 15 or 20 years. He’s a world-class striker. With him back, our team is much stronger — everyone knows the difference he makes,” De Jong said.
Finally, he addressed the recent cancellation of Barcelona’s proposed friendly in Miami, saying he had no role in the decision. “I don’t think it was because of my comments, and I don’t know exactly why it didn’t happen. Maybe it was due to criticism. Either way, it’s good for us not to have to travel,” he noted.
With his contract now secured and his focus firmly on success in Europe, De Jong remains determined to lift the Champions League trophy — the one title missing from his Barcelona career.