De Jong: I've Always Wanted to Play for Barcelona, and There's No Reason to Leave

In late December 2015, during the Eredivisie's winter break, Frenkie de Jong and his wife Mikky took a trip to Barcelona. He had joined Ajax four months prior but was immediately loaned back to Willem II. De Jong had tickets for a Barcelona vs. Betis match, a moment he still vividly recalls. Before the game, the Catalan giants paraded the five trophies they had won that year. Frenkie watched as Lionel Messi scored in his 500th appearance for the club. Four years later, he would be playing alongside the Argentine legend.

“I remember very clearly sitting there watching Messi, Neymar, and Suarez, and Barça won 4-0. It was a special trip and a wonderful experience,” he reminisced.

Now in his seventh year at Camp Nou, he recently became the Dutchman with the most appearances for the club, reaching 293 last week. His trophy cabinet already boasts two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and three Spanish Super Cups, with Barcelona on the verge of another league title.

“You're expected to win trophies every year,” he stated, explaining the club's situation post-pandemic: “Many big names left, and we were playing with a lot of young players. That takes a bit of time – a year or two. Then some new signings arrived. I enjoy every day here because this is what I've always wanted: to play for Barcelona.”

De Jong elaborated on why he had no desire to leave. Last October, he extended his contract with the club until 2029, despite frequently being linked with moves to other clubs in recent years due to Barcelona's financial situation. When asked if he ever considered leaving, he replied: “Of course, at times, such thoughts cross your mind. As long as I'm good enough to be a starter here, and Barcelona is the level I want to play at, and we're competing for major trophies, there's no reason for me to leave.”