FC Barcelona midfielder and one of the club captains, Frenkie de Jong, leaves the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a heartbreak.
While the Barcelona midfielder produced some of the finest football of his career and established himself as the heartbeat of Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side, another painful penalty shootout against Morocco ended the Oranje’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
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For Barcelona, however, the tournament offered a highly encouraging reminder of De Jong’s importance, reports SPORT.
Another cruel exit for the Netherlands
The Netherlands were eliminated in the Round of 32 after drawing 1-1 with Morocco before losing 3-2 in the penalty shootout.
Koeman’s side looked set to progress when Cody Gakpo gave them the lead in the 72nd minute.
However, Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header forced extra time, and Morocco eventually prevailed from the penalty spot thanks once again to the heroics of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
De Jong could not inspire the Netherlands to a win vs Morocco. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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After losing on penalties to Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and suffering a similar fate in Brazil in 2014, the Netherlands have now been eliminated in three consecutive World Cups via penalty shootouts.
De Jong emerged stronger
Despite the collective disappointment, De Jong’s individual performances stood out throughout the tournament.
The Barcelona midfielder was one of Koeman’s most reliable players, dictating the tempo of matches, orchestrating the team’s build-up play and repeatedly carrying possession through opposition lines with his driving runs.
Time and again, he served as the team’s primary outlet in possession, helping the Netherlands control games through intelligent positioning, composure and outstanding distribution.
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Even against Morocco, in one of the tournament’s most physically demanding matches, De Jong maintained his high standards across the 110 minutes he was on the field.
He continued to provide calm in possession, linked play effectively and tried to maintain attacking rhythm even as the game became increasingly chaotic during extra time.
Ultimately, however, even his leadership was not enough to prevent another painful Dutch exit.
Positive news for Barcelona
While the World Cup ended in disappointment for the Netherlands, Barcelona can take considerable encouragement from De Jong’s performances.
Hansi Flick will welcome back a midfielder who has reinforced his reputation as one of the world’s elite players in his position.
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The tournament confirmed what the Blaugrana supporters witnessed throughout last season: when fully fit, De Jong remains one of the game’s finest controlling midfielders. His confidence, consistency and leadership all reached impressive levels during the World Cup.
For De Jong, the competition ends with two very different stories. On one hand, he leaves having reaffirmed his status as one of Europe’s outstanding midfielders and one of Barcelona’s most important players heading into the new season.
On the other, another heartbreaking penalty shootout extends the Netherlands’ painful World Cup history and denies him the international success that his individual performances arguably deserved.
For Barcelona, though, the biggest takeaway is clear: De Jong returns from the World Cup playing some of the best football of his career and ready to play a leading role under Flick once again.
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