Frenkie de Jong proved against Real Madrid that he can silence much of the criticism he faces. In the Super Cup final, the Dutchman excelled in the midfield leadership that has so often been criticized. But not only that, the number 21 also displayed a character rarely seen on the pitch. At 28, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad, with only Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo having been in the dressing room longer than him. For this reason, based on seniority, he is the third captain. Against Real Madrid, Frenkie wore the armband due to the absence of Ter Stegen – relegated to the bench since Joan Garcia's arrival – and the Uruguayan, who was cleared to play for mental health reasons precisely during the Super Cup.

Football sometimes awakens our darkest feelings. In just a few days, some fans have gone from celebrating at Canaletes after thrashing Athletic Bilbao to calling for a public trial against their players. because of the events at Stamford Bridge, Accusing them of betrayal. It can be frightening how cruelly players on your beloved team can be judged when the ball isn't going in. It's true that Barça floundered in London. But do we have to harshly criticize players like Fermín? Did he have an off day? No. Is it necessary to crucify him? Not at all.

The Celta-Barça match was about to begin. Dani Olmo, dressed in the regulation tracksuit, had just sat down on the bench at Balaídos. He was supposed to be a substitute. Suddenly, Hansi Flick approached him. "Casadón's injured, you're playing." Such is football; Olmo not only unexpectedly entered the pitch, but he also played the full 90 minutes and delivered one of his best performances in a Barça shirt. He wasn't the only one. In fact, Barça rediscovered their best form in Vigo Despite the balancing act the coach had to perform due to absences.

If Frenkie de Jong has a great supporter at Barça, it's Joan Laporta. The Barça president often explains, in close circles, that the Dutch midfielder "sets the style" and that's why it's best for him to stay at Barcelona. Just as, according to reports in the offices, he was the one who stopped his departure three summers ago, Laporta accompanied De Jong this Wednesday at the player's contract renewal ceremony, which will see him remain at Barça until 2029. "I want to win titles, that's why I renewed," he declared.

Frenkie de Jong has gone from being an asset Barça wanted to sell a couple of seasons ago due to the high cost of his salary—and, specifically, the deferrals he signed in a renewal outside the group in the context of the pandemic—to being considered practically untouchable by Hansi Flick, a category that is unmatched. The Dutchman's contract expires on June 30, 2026, and despite an initial attempt to reach an agreement to renew it during the last summer transfer window to spread his salary over more years and gain salary margin (as was done, for example, with Jules Kounde), negotiations halted with the commitment to resume. As ARA has learned, contacts to renew De Jong have been reactivated and will be extended in the coming weeks.

A couple of summers ago, it seemed impossible to imagine that Frenkie de Jong could have a future in the Barça dressing room. The club was one step away from transferring him to Manchester UnitedThe reasons were essentially economic rather than sporting. Certainly, the Dutch midfielder wasn't quite fitting into the Barça starting eleven and suffered a string of injuries that curtailed his performance. But he was a player with a very high salary, there were still millions to be paid off from his transfer from Ajax, and he had enough standing to make a splash at a time of maximum agony for the Barça treasury. He, on the other hand, always advocated staying. And he did. Even though the toll was a huge internal war between the player, the sporting directors, and the media, including a threat of a lawsuit.

In the Champions League round of 16, in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and top of La Liga. The 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano with a penalty goal from Robert Lewandowski puts Barça at the top of the table. Here are some quick notes.

In the last 16 of the Champions League, in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and leaders of La Liga. The victory (1-0) against Rayo Vallecano Robert Lewandowski's penalty puts Barça at the top of the table. Here are some quick notes.