De Jong’s performance in their 4-0 victory against Hungary earned him widespread appreciation.
“You saw his qualities in a number of moments”, said Koeman as De Jong made his long-awaited return. “He helped us to create a lot more chances.”
De Jong had last played against Ireland in Dublin in a qualifying match of the European Championship in September 2023. However, an ankle injury stunted his participated in the Euro 2024 in Germany. In the midst, he missed 18 matches for the national team.
???????? Frenkie de Jong: “I’m happy to be back! I need games, I need rhythm, and then my good form will return”.
“I will not start the next game but I will stay with the national team”. pic.twitter.com/ATSFO2SdrA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 17, 2024
The 27-year-old De Jong showed his class in the first half with his passing game and control of the midfield before being substituted in the 68th minute.
“You can see from everything he did that he is a great player. Maybe he is not yet at his best, but he reads the game very quickly. You can play football with him so easily,” said former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart, a pundit on Dutch NOS television.
Netherlands 4-0 Hungary
???? FC Barcelona player Frenkie De Jong played 68 minutes
???? @Onsoranje pic.twitter.com/cBpnZHiajV
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 16, 2024
De Jong told reporters, however, that he was still well short of his best.
“I still need some time to really get into top form”, said De Jong. “After an injury, I usually felt I would get back into form quickly, now after this injury that is really different.”
There were two heavy tackles in Saturday’s match which would have left Dutch supporters anxious.
“It’s not unstable, but it is still sensitive at certain moments,” De Jong said of his ankle. “You have to regain your confidence completely. That only comes from playing matches, and then hopefully the pain will go away by itself.”
(With Reuters inputs)
