In a match that had several talking points, a certain Frenkie de Jong was one of the central figures in the Spanish Super Cup final, producing a performance that quietly shaped how the game unfolded.
Apart from Raphinha, the Man of the Match, the midfielder stood out in the 3-2 victory over Real Madrid, delivering a display that many consider his strongest in a final since arriving at the club.
For long stretches, De Jong dictated the rhythm of the match, offering control, balance and clarity in possession during a high-pressure Clasico setting.
Always available
Since the first whistle, the former Ajax midfielder positioned himself as the reference point in midfield.
Barcelona’s ability to dominate the ball was closely tied to his presence, as he consistently made himself available between the lines, recycled possession under pressure and helped his team bypass Real Madrid’s press.
Frenkie de Jong, barcelona player
Frenkie de Jong did a commendable job against Real Madrid. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Until the final moments, when he received a red card, his performance was close to flawless.
In the 90th minute, while attempting to regain possession, De Jong committed a foul on Kylian Mbappe that resulted in a straight red card.
While that moment inevitably drew attention, it did little to erase the impact De Jong had already made across the previous 90 minutes.
Stats to back
The statistics strongly support the positive impression left by his performance, as OPTA data highlights just how influential he was.
Barcelona finished the final with 68% possession, a figure that becomes even more striking considering the pressure they faced after being reduced to ten players.
De Jong’s role in maintaining that control was decisive, especially in areas where composure was essential.
One of the most revealing numbers was his contribution in the final third. De Jong completed 22 passes in advanced zones, the highest tally of any player across both teams.
This put him one ahead of Lamine Yamal, which explains his importance not just in ball retention, but in progression and chance development.
Defensively, De Jong also made a significant contribution. He recorded six ball recoveries, ranking second in the team behind Jules Kounde, who led the count with 11.
In terms of overall passing volume, De Jong again featured near the top. He completed 83 passes across all areas of the pitch, matching Pedri and trailing only Kounde, who finished with 91.
The comparison with Real Madrid was stark because Aurelien Tchouameni was their most active passer with 31 completions.
Combining with his teammates
Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona
De Jong played his best final in Barcelona colours. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Efficiency was another key aspect of De Jong’s display, as he lost possession only seven times throughout the match, an impressive figure given the tempo and intensity of the final.
For much of the game, Fermin Lopez complemented him as the third midfielder, while the introduction of Dani Olmo later on added another dimension to Barcelona’s control and fluidity in possession.
Despite the late red card, the Super Cup final served as a reminder of Frenkie de Jong’s value in decisive matches.
His performance combined authority, intelligence and consistency, truly explains his importance when Barcelona look to control games through midfield against top-level opposition.