Frenkie de Jong faces surgery dilemma as concerns grow over Barcelona star's ankle injury

It has been four months since Frenkie de Jong injured his ankle in The classicand the Dutch midfielder has yet to return to action despite an original timetable of 4-6 weeks for his recovery.

The last time we heard any report on his condition was two weeks ago, when Diario AS claimed that Barça “cannot predict” when De Jong would be fit to play again. And the latest update on Frenkie's situation is possibly the most worrying yet.

According to a report by Catalan radio RAC1De Jong has been told by medical professionals that only surgery can ensure his ankle returns to 100% function. Conservative treatments may no longer work as the problem appears to have become chronic after Frenkie injured the same spot three times in a row in just over eight months last season.

De Jong was against surgery from the start, as he hoped to be healthy in time to play for his country at the 2024 European Championships. However, he did not make the team, the tournament ended six weeks ago and he still has not managed to return.

Frenkie faces a serious dilemma in terms of how to treat his injury, and the lack of squad in his position at club level, given Gavi's injury and Marc Bernal's season-ending cruciate ligament tear earlier this week, could also influence his decision.

The timetable for a return is far from certain and De Jong now faces an important decision about what to do next – not only in terms of his career, but also in the interests of Barça.