De Jong says the noise and criticism around him at Barcelona are excessive

Frenkie de Jong has voiced his frustration with the attention surrounding him at Barcelona. The midfielder feels that his name attracts more noise and criticism than those of some teammates, and says the focus returns even when he is not playing.

“I feel there is always more noise around me than around the others,” De Jong, 29, said in comments reported by the Spanish press. He added that the discussion grows especially when he is absent: “There is always a certain amount of noise around me, especially when I’m not there. For one reason or another, it happens in the summer, when there are no matches, or when I’m injured.”

The Dutchman acknowledged that this may be his own perception and that he cannot control what people say. At the same time, he says he is currently in very good condition. “I feel I’m in very good shape at the moment and very strong,” he said, before qualifying his impression: “I feel people always talk more about me than the others, but maybe that is simply the impression I get when people talk about me, because these are things I don’t have much influence over.”

His remarks come after a spell out through injury, amid recurring debate about his level and role in Barcelona’s team. De Jong also sought to clarify his fitness, saying he no longer has a problem with his knee. “I feel very good. I feel strong and enthusiastic, and I have a lot of motivation. I don’t feel any problem with my knee. What happened is in the past.”

On the pitch, he says he is more comfortable in midfield but is ready to play wherever the team needs him. After the win against Aston Villa, he had also praised an important result against an opponent that had won all of its previous matches in the competition. That victory allowed Barcelona to extend its perfect start in the Champions League.