**Frenkie de Jong: The Dutch Maestro Redefining Modern Midfield Play**
**Let's Begin**
Frenkie de Jong is one of the most technically skilled midfielders of his age. Known for his poise, vision, and outstanding ball control, the Dutchman has become a crucial player for both FC Barcelona and the Netherlands national team. His ability to command play, break lines with his dribbling, and contribute defensively makes him a complete midfielder.
In this blog article, we’ll explore: - Frenkie de Jong’s professional trajectory - The current squad size of FC Barcelona - **Five of his most famous moments** - Why he’s regarded one of the top midfielders today
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## **Who Is Frenkie de Jong?** **Full Name:** Frenkie de Jong **Date of Birth:** May 12, 1997 **Nationality:** Dutch **Current Club:** FC Barcelona **Position:** Central Midfielder / Defensive Midfielder
De Jong began his career at Willem II before joining Ajax’s legendary youth system. Under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, he matured into a world-class midfielder, helping the team reach the **2018-19 UEFA Champions League semifinals**. His achievements won him a **€86 million transfer to FC Barcelona in 2019**, where he has since been a crucial player.
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## **How Many Players Are in FC Barcelona’s Squad?** As of the **2023-24 season**, FC Barcelona has a **first-team squad of 25 players**, including:
- **Goalkeepers:** Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña - **Defenders:** Ronald Araújo, Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde
- **Midfielders:** Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, İlkay Gündoğan, Oriol Romeu
- **Forwards:** Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, João Félix
De Jong is a **core member of this squad**, frequently playing as a deep-lying playmaker or box-to-box midfielder.
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## **Frenkie de Jong’s 5 Most Amazing Moments**
### **1. Masterclass Against Real Madrid (El Clásico, March 2023) **
In one of his greatest performances for Barcelona, De Jong **dominated the midfield** in a **2-1 victory against Real Madrid at Camp Nou**. His ability to **retain possession under pressure**, dribble past opponents, and build up assaults was important. He completed **94% of his passes**, made **3 critical interceptions**, and assisted the first goal.
This encounter reinforced his image as a **big-game player**, demonstrating he could outperform Real Madrid’s star-studded midfield.
### **2. 2019 Champions League Semifinal – Ajax vs. Tottenham (First Leg)**
Before joining Barcelona, De Jong was **the pulse of Ajax’s remarkable 2018-19 Champions League run**. In the **first leg of the semifinal against Tottenham**, he provided a **midfield masterclass**, controlling the tempo and assisting Donny van de Beek’s goal in a **1-0 win**.
His **elegant dribbling, precision passing, and defensive work rate** made him the greatest midfielder in Europe that season.
### **3. Netherlands vs. France (UEFA Nations League 2018 – Debut Masterclass)**
De Jong launched himself on the international scene with a **man-of-the-match performance against France**. Despite the Netherlands losing **2-1**, his **ball retention, progressive carries, and defensive contributions** won considerable appreciation.
This game signaled the beginning of his climb as the **future of Dutch football**.
### **4. FC Barcelona vs. Napoli (UCL 2020 – Dominant Display) ** In the **2020 Champions League Round of 16**, De Jong put in a **stellar performance against Napoli**, helping Barcelona win **3-1**. He **scored a goal**, made **5 successful dribbles**, and had a **92% pass accuracy**, demonstrating his **all-around midfield dominance**.
This performance reminded everyone why Barcelona spent **€86 million** for him.
### **5. Netherlands vs. USA (2022 World Cup Round of 16 – Assist & Control)**
In the **2022 FIFA World Cup**, De Jong was vital in the Netherlands’ **3-1 win against the USA**. He produced a **beautiful assist for Memphis Depay’s opening goal** and commanded the midfield with **ease and intelligence**.
His **vision and composure** were vital to the Dutch team’s advancement.
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## **Why Frenkie de Jong Is One of the Best Midfielders Today** - **Elite Dribbling & Ball Progression:** He excels at carrying the ball forward under pressure.
- **Press-Resistant:** His close control allows him to escape tight areas readily.
- **Tactical Intelligence:** He adjusts to varied midfield roles (DM, CM, or even CB).
- **Big-Game Mentality:** Consistently performs in important matchups.
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## **Conclusion** Frenkie de Jong is a **once-in-a-generation midfielder**, merging technical brilliance with tactical insight. Whether for **Barcelona or the Netherlands**, he continues to establish why he’s among the **best in the world**.
Which of his moments impressed you the most? Let us know in the comments!
Would you like a deeper tactical breakdown of his playing style? Let me know! ⚽🔥