Frenkie de Jong Could Make His Barcelona Comeback Against Alaves After Knee Injury

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is moving closer to a long-awaited return after rejoining team training, but the club are determined not to rush the Dutch international back into competitive action.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining a serious knee injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After spending several weeks working individually, De Jong has now resumed parts of training with his teammates, marking an important step in his recovery.

However, Barcelona are reportedly preparing for a gradual reintegration, with the midfielder's return to the matchday squad potentially coming later this month.

De Jong Could Return Against Alaves

According to Barça Reservat, a podcast on Catalunya Ràdio, De Jong is not expected to return to the matchday squad until the final week of October.

Barcelona are scheduled to face Real Madrid in the first El Clásico of the season on October 25, but the report suggests that the Dutchman could instead target the league fixture against Deportivo Alavés on October 31 for his first minutes of the campaign.

That timeline would give De Jong additional time to rebuild his fitness and regain confidence following his extended absence.

The midfielder had already begun individual work on the grass before taking part in group training this week. His workload is expected to increase progressively as Barcelona's medical and coaching staff assess his response.

The club's priority is to ensure he returns fully prepared rather than risk another setback by bringing him back too early.

Why Barcelona Wanted De Jong to Undergo Surgery

De Jong's recovery has also been accompanied by reports of disagreements between the player and Barcelona over the best course of treatment.

While the club reportedly favoured surgery, the midfielder chose conservative treatment instead. His rehabilitation has progressed sufficiently for him to resume working with the squad, although questions remain about the risks associated with his decision.

Reports indicate that Barcelona were concerned about the timing of his initial treatment. De Jong reportedly went on holiday with his family after the World Cup rather than returning immediately to the club, delaying the early management of his knee injury.

The club were particularly concerned that the knee had not been immobilised immediately. According to the reports, prompt immobilisation could have improved the chances of the affected ligament healing naturally without surgery.

The reported delay of around 12 days raised concerns that conservative treatment might be less effective and could increase the possibility of a recurrence. Those concerns reportedly contributed to Barcelona's preference for an operation.

Nevertheless, De Jong opted to continue without surgery, and his latest progress offers encouragement that he is moving towards a return.

Barcelona Refuse to Take Risks With Their Midfield Star

De Jong's availability would provide Hansi Flick with another important option in midfield as Barcelona approach a demanding period of the season.

His ability to carry the ball through pressure, dictate possession and help the team progress attacks makes him a valuable part of the squad. His return would also give Flick greater flexibility in managing minutes across the midfield.

However, Barcelona are unlikely to make the Dutchman available until he has completed the necessary stages of his rehabilitation.

Although a comeback against Alaves remains a reported possibility, the timeline will depend on his progress during the coming weeks. Any discomfort or setback could delay his return further.

For now, De Jong's return to group training is a positive development, but Barcelona's message appears clear: his fitness must come first, even if that means missing El Clásico.

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