Deco and Frenkie de Jong Clash Over Antwerp Absence: Illness or Excuse?

According to a report from RAC1 (via Diario Sport), a clash has erupted between Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, and midfielder Frenkie de Jong regarding the Dutchman’s absence from the Antwerp game.

Deco allegedly contacted De Jong, questioning why he wasn’t part of the squad. In response, De Jong explained that he was unwell, prompting Deco to inquire if the illness had been certified by a doctor. The exchange led to Deco expressing skepticism about the authenticity of De Jong’s illness and reportedly reprimanding him.

Adding complexity to the situation, when Barcelona initially released the squad list for the game, key players like Lewandowski, Araujo, and Gundogan were omitted as Xavi aimed to provide them with rest. However, they were later included in the squad list before the match, purportedly at Deco’s behest.