Frenkie de Jong will miss the Netherlands’ final Nations League group-stage match against Germany on Monday after reporting minor physical discomfort following the victory over Greece.
The 29-year-old Barcelona midfielder has been left out of the squad for the fixture as a precaution, with Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez opting not to take any unnecessary risks over his fitness.
“Frenkie de Jong is suffering from some minor physical complaints and will miss the upcoming away match against Germany,” the official Netherlands account said on X.
It added: “As a precautionary measure, the coaching staff have decided that the player will not travel to Berlin because Monday’s match comes too soon in relation to the midfielder’s recovery period.”
The Netherlands will not call up a replacement, leaving the squad with 23 players for the match at the Berlin Olympic Stadium on 16 November 2026.
The fixture is the Netherlands’ final game in Group A of the Nations League. They lead the section with 11 points, while Germany and Greece have eight each. Serbia are bottom without a point.
A draw would be enough for the Netherlands to finish top of the group and secure qualification for the quarter-finals, which are scheduled to take place next March.
De Jong’s gradual return
De Jong is navigating a significant period in his career after a lengthy absence caused by injury disrupted his involvement with both Barcelona and the Netherlands.
He suffered a knee injury during the 2026 World Cup, ruling him out of several important fixtures. His return to action with Barcelona began gradually in late October.
The midfielder’s comeback has not been straightforward. He has needed time to regain his match rhythm, while Barcelona manager Hans Flick has taken a cautious approach to his physical condition and avoided placing additional demands on him before he reaches full fitness.
De Jong remains an important part of Barcelona’s plans because of his ability to control the tempo, retain possession under pressure and help build attacks from deep. His tactical flexibility also allows him to perform several roles in midfield.
His latest absence therefore represents another interruption as he attempts to restore his regular place in the team and return to his best physical and technical level.