Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has addressed the speculation surrounding his recent injury, using a public appearance to deny several reports about his fitness, his relationship with the club and his alleged refusal to play in a major match last season.
The Dutch international is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
While the focus should now be on his recovery, De Jong revealed that the reports circulating around his situation had become a growing source of frustration.
Speaking to Barça Play, the midfielder said he had decided to publicly respond because, in his view, false stories were beginning to affect his image.
"I feel there's a lot of hype surrounding me, a lot of fake news and things like that, and it's bothering me.
"That's why I'm here today, to set the record straight," he began.
The Barcelona midfielder explained that several claims made about him were simply untrue.
"A lot of things are being written that aren't true, and I've noticed that they're damaging my image and affecting the way some people view me."
Frenkie de Jong has finally addressed rumours about his situation. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Quite particularly, he called out Spanish journalist Gerard Romero for spreading false news in the press.
"Take Gerard Romero, for example. He – the one who started all this – said that I refused to play...
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