Sports
Barcelona Midfielder, Frenkie de Jong Breaks Silence On Injury, Salary Claims
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has addressed recent reports surrounding his injury recovery and salary, clarifying misconceptions regarding his decision not to undergo surgery and the financial details of his contract.
De Jong, who sustained a serious right ankle injury during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo in September 2023, has faced ongoing challenges with the same area, prompting speculation about his commitment to treatment.
Reports suggested that the 27-year-old had refused Barcelona’s requests for surgical intervention while earning an astronomical wage amid the club’s financial struggles.
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In an exclusive interview with Barca One, De Jong firmly denied the claims regarding his earnings, stating, “It is not true that I earn 37 million euros. That’s a very big figure and is a long way off what I really earn.”
The Dutch international was rumored to be the highest-paid player at the club, with an alleged annual salary of €37 million (£31 million).
Regarding his injury management, De Jong emphasized that the decision to avoid surgery was a collaborative choice made with the club’s medical team.
“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 explained.
Reflecting on his recovery journey, De Jong admitted the frustration of being sidelined.
“Having three injuries to the same ankle caused me a bit of mental trauma. But I am gradually regaining my confidence to kick the ball hard and go strong into tackles,” he said.
As De Jong edges closer to a return, he expressed eagerness to rejoin his teammates. “From the outside, the team looks full of energy and quality. I am really keen to be part of that and offer my very best.”
De Jong has yet to make an appearance in the 2024/25 season, but he may have the opportunity to feature in Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League match against Young Boys on Tuesday evening as he continues his recovery.
Chelsea FC have been slammed with a £10.75 million ($14.27 million) fine and hit with a suspended one-year transfer ban by the Premier League for historical breaches of league rules.
The sanctions, announced on Monday, also include an immediate nine-month academy transfer ban, preventing Chelsea from registering new youth players from other academies during this period.
The Premier League said the penalties stem from information provided by the consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly following their takeover of the club in 2022 from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
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While the one-year transfer ban is suspended and may only be enforced if further violations occur, the fine and academy ban immediately take effect, marking a significant regulatory action against one of England’s top football clubs.
Chelsea are currently competing in domestic competitions while rebuilding their squad under Boehly’s ownership.
The club is yet to release an official statement responding to the sanctions.
Joan Laporta has been re-elected as president of FC Barcelona after securing a commanding victory in the club’s latest presidential election.
Laporta polled over 68 per cent of the votes cast by members, comfortably defeating his main rival, Victor Font, who received close to 30 per cent of the ballots.
The remaining votes were declared void or invalid.
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The victory secures Laporta another five-year term beginning July 1, 2026, marking his second consecutive term and fourth overall as president of the Catalan giants.
Laporta previously led Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, a highly successful period that included the appointment of legendary coach Pep Guardiola, under whom the club enjoyed one of the most dominant eras in its history.
Speaking after his re-election, the 63-year-old expressed confidence about the club’s future, promising more success in the coming years.
“It makes us unstoppable. No one will stop us. Exciting years lie ahead,” Laporta said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the squad and completing the ongoing redevelopment of the iconic Camp Nou stadium.
The election recorded a turnout of about 42.34 per cent, with nearly 48,500 club members participating in the voting process.
Despite financial challenges in recent seasons, Barcelona have enjoyed a strong campaign this year, already securing a domestic treble and currently sitting four points ahead of rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
The Spanish side are also preparing for the round-of-16 second leg of the UEFA Champions League against Newcastle United after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
African club football is set for a financial shake-up as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announces a substantial increase in prize money for its top club competitions this season.
According to a CAF statement released on Monday, winners of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League will now take home $6 million (≈€5.18 million), up from $4 million last season. Meanwhile, the CAF Confederation Cup champions — Africa’s second-tier club competition — will earn $4 million, marking a 50% increase from last year.
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Prize money for runners-up remains unchanged, with Champions League finalists receiving $2 million and Confederation Cup finalists $1 million.
The move has been welcomed by clubs, which have long complained that competing in African competitions often results in financial losses.
High travel costs, particularly airfares, have been a major challenge, with many clubs forced to take longer, costlier routes through Europe or the Middle East due to limited direct flights between African countries.
Since Patrice Motsepe, the South African businessman and CAF president, took office in 2021, prize money for African club competitions has steadily increased.
Motsepe, now in his second four-year term, has been championing financial sustainability and growth for African club football.
CAF’s quarter-final first-leg matches kick off this weekend, starting in Pretoria, South Africa, where Mamelodi Sundowns host Stade Malien of Mali in the Champions League.
Football fans across the continent are eagerly anticipating a weekend full of high-stakes action.
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