SEVILLE, SPAIN - APRIL 25: Pedri, Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona warms up during a training session before the Copa del Rey Final Match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 25, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong was on Thursday welcomed back to group activities at the club’s training base courtesy of a long-running tradition.
Midfielder De Jong is for his part yet to take to the pitch in a competitive setting this season.
Sidelined through a serious knee injury suffered at the World Cup, the Dutchman has spent the last three months working tirelessly towards a full recovery.
Recent days have seen the former Ajax man’s progress ramp up, amid encouraging signs at the Ciutat Esportiva. On Thursday, De Jong was therefore given the green light to see out group training in full, for the first time since last season.
And as alluded to above, this development was recognised by manager Hansi Flick and his squad through a tradition long practiced in Catalunya’s capital.
De Jong was put through a ‘tunnel of slaps’ on the part of his teammates, footage of which can be watched below:
Frenkie reunites with all his teammates! 👋 pic.twitter.com/okbe9Ur4y4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 8, 2026
Conor Laird – GSFN