Frenkie de Jong waxes lyrical over Lionel Messi: 'The perfect footballer'

Frenkie de Jong praised Lionel Messi as “the perfect footballer” while addressing Barcelona’s captain situation during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. The article notes multiple fitness concerns among captains: Raphinha was seriously injured earlier on the day, Ronald Araujo had not yet appeared for Uruguay due to a fitness setback, and De Jong was not at 100% but still started for the Netherlands against Sweden. He played 60 minutes and completed 96% of his passes in a “mammoth” win. Speaking to media, De Jong described his football roots, saying he began training at seven or eight, progressing from two sessions to more over time, and still playing with friends when at home. He also said the pressure is higher at the highest level than in youth football but enjoys one-on-one wins and intercepting the ball. Asked about Messi, De Jong said he watched Messi extensively, especially during Guardiola’s era with Barcelona, and described Messi as completely different from him but the player he admired most.