Frenkie de Jong was back in the Netherlands team on Thursday against Spain and appears to be back in the Oranje’s good books after a tricky time with injury.
The Barcelona midfielder has shrugged off ankle problems to play regularly for Barcelona [and even earned praise from Ruud Gullit](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/3/19/24389287/ruud-gullit-frenkie-de-jong-criticism-barcelona-star-deserves-all-the-praise-in-the-world) - who had previously told him to leave the Catalan club.
Former Dutch stars Rafael van der Vaart and Pierre van Hooijdonk have now joined in the praise for De Jong after seeing him impress again versus Spain.
> “You can see that the Spanish players don’t even put pressure on him and have respect for him. If people still doubt him, Ruud (Gullit), I hope you’re watching, because this is the level he’s been reaching lately. This is the best player we have and we should value him,” Van der Vaart told NOS.
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> “He barely loses the ball and his dribbling... We’ve seen it so many times. A good Frenkie is a blessing for Koeman and the Dutch national team,” Pierre van Hooijdonk added.
Barcelona will be hoping that De Jong can continue his good form and stay injury free in the final few months of the season, [particularly after losing Marc Casado to injury](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/3/18/24388109/what-does-marc-casados-injury-mean-for-hansi-flick-and-barcelona).