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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>De Jong called up for Nations League games</li><li>Has just returned to action from a lengthy lay-off</li><li>Is taking more precautions to prevent another injury</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Before, I didn't even think about my ankle' - Frenkie de Jong reveals measures he is taking to avoid injury after Barcelona nightmare

UEFA Nations League A

Netherlands

Hungary

LaLiga

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

<p>Initially hurt during an intense El Clasico match in April, De Jong’s injury was expected to keep him off the pitch for a few weeks. However, complications turned what was forecasted as a five-to-six-week recovery into an absence lasting over five months, significantly impacting both his club and national team contributions. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Despite the setbacks, De Jong has returned to the Netherlands squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, marking his first call-up since September 2023. His selection <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/frenkie-de-jong-broke-down-tears-barcelona-dressing-room-amid-fears-over-fresh-injury-hell/blt0891d36aada5f092#csd24997b4c14b836f" target="_blank">follows a close call with a potential relapse</a> during Barcelona’s recent 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad when the midfielder was reportedly left in tears in the dressing room after he was hooked by Hansi Flick after the first half.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>In an interview with <em>Voetbal International,</em> de Jong revealed how his injury has led him to adopt a meticulous routine centred on ankle care.</p><p>“I spend a lot of time on my ankle," he said. "Now, I have to take much more care of it. Before I didn’t even think about my ankle before matches, but now I get treated before training and matches. I have to put ice on it, I have to make extra preparations to train…. I think this will continue to be the case for a while, I will have to pay attention to that ankle for a longer period of time.”</p>

WHAT DE JONG SAID

<p>It remains to be seen if Koeman risks De Jong for the entire 90 minutes against Hungary on Saturday since the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/frenkie-de-jong-not-at-his-best-yet-ronald-koeman-feels-barcelona-playmaker-still-some-way-off-peak-level-after-injury-nightmare/bltd56625df9007f634#cs4f6046878d76d880" target="_blank">manager believes that the player is still some way off</a> from being 100 per cent match-fit. However, he might be introduced in the later stages of the match and again eased into the fold when the Dutch take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR DE JONG?

'Before, I didn't even think about my ankle' - Frenkie de Jong reveals measures he is taking to avoid injury after Barcelona nightmare | Goal.com

Frenkie de Jong has revealed that he remains cautious and is undertaking protective measures to avoid another ankle injury after Barcelona nightmare.

&apos;Before, I didn&apos;t even think about my ankle&apos; - Frenkie de Jong reveals measures he is taking to avoid injury after Barcelona nightmare