New step brings de Jong closer to returning to Barcelona training

Frenkie de Jong, FC Barcelona's midfielder, has started a new phase of his rehabilitation program, having returned to ball training on the pitch, in a new step towards regaining his fitness.

According to Spanish reports, Frenkie de Jong is close to returning to team training and could join his teammates next week if he continues to recover as required.

Dutch player Frenkie de Jong suffered a tear in the lateral ligament of his right knee during the World Cup, with FC Barcelona officially announcing the injury diagnosis on July 23.

Frenkie de Jong's injury dates back to training with the Netherlands national team around June 16, but its discovery was delayed due to a misdiagnosis by the medical staff, according to reports, which allowed him to continue playing despite the injury.

After the end of his World Cup campaign, De Jong received a two-week holiday in Ibiza before FC Barcelona reached an accurate diagnosis of his injury on July 13.

Frenkie de Jong has opted for conservative treatment instead of surgery, despite the medical staff at FC Barcelona preferring the surgical option. Since then, the player has been under continuous monitoring to assess the progress of his condition and his response to treatment, before now beginning a new phase of rehabilitation with the ball on the pitch.