Frenkie De Jong Expects Confidence Boost Following Return To Netherlands National Team

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Frenkie de Jong is optimistic about regaining his confidence with more playing time after rejoining the Netherlands' starting line-up. His return was marked by a 4-0 win over Hungary, securing a Nations League quarter-final spot. De Jong had been sidelined for over a year, missing 18 matches, including the Euro 2024 campaign where the Netherlands reached the semi-finals before losing to England.

In the match against Hungary, De Jong played for 68 minutes and excelled in passing, making 31 passes in the final third—more than any other player. He also made 12 entries into the final third, second only to Jan Paul van Hecke's 17. Despite his performance, De Jong acknowledged he needs more time to reach peak form after his injury.

"I still need some time to really get into top form," said De Jong. "After an injury, I usually felt I would get back into form quickly, now after this injury that is really different."

De Jong expressed his need to regain confidence on the field. "I need to gain back my confidence in doing certain things on the pitch," he stated. Acknowledging this challenge, he remains positive about improving with more games and rhythm. Although he won't start in the next match, he will continue with the national team.

The midfielder returned to Barcelona in October after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out for six months. His last appearance for the Dutch national team was against Ireland in September 2023.

Koeman's Support

Ronald Koeman praised De Jong's impact on the team following his long absence. "You saw his qualities in a number of moments," Koeman remarked. He believes De Jong can significantly contribute to creating more opportunities for the team moving forward.

De Jong is pleased to be back on the field and is focused on regaining his form through consistent playtime. His return has been well-received by fans and teammates alike, as evidenced by their enthusiastic support during matches.