As the excitement builds for the European Championships, unfortunate news has emerged for the Netherlands and Frenkie de Jong.
The star midfielder, with 54 international caps to his name, will miss the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained during Barcelona’s Clásico clash against Real Madrid in April.
De Jong’s absence comes as a blow for the Netherlands, with hopes high for a strong showing in the Euros.
Despite being initially included in Ronald Koeman’s squad for the tournament, a race against time to recover proved unsuccessful, leading to the disappointing confirmation of his unavailability.
Expressing his disappointment, De Jong shared his feelings on social media, highlighting the honor of representing his country and expressing his support for the team despite being sidelined.
In light of De Jong’s absence, Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen has been called up to fill the void.
Maatsen’s inclusion marks a significant opportunity for him to contribute to the Dutch national team’s campaign in the Euros.
The Netherlands faced another setback with Teun Koopmeiners also ruled out due to injury, adding to their challenges as they prepare to kick off the tournament against Poland on June 16.
Matches against France and Austria follow in what promises to be an exciting group stage.
While the absence of key players like De Jong and Koopmeiners presents challenges, it also opens doors for talents like Maatsen to step up and make their mark on the international stage.
Football fans will be eagerly watching to see how the Dutch team navigates these obstacles and performs in the upcoming Euros.
