Frenkie de Jong is deeply disappointed that he cannot participate in the 2024 European Championship, he said via Instagram on Monday evening. Immediately after the practice win over Iceland (4-0), it became clear that the midfielder has not recovered sufficiently from his ankle injury.

De Jong will focus on his recovery and preparations for next season with FC Barcelona. In any case, he makes it known that he had to make the decision with great pain in his heart.

“I am sad and disappointed that I will not make it to the European Championships,” he begins his message on Instagram. “We have done everything we can in recent weeks, but unfortunately my ankle needs more time.”

“It is a dream and the greatest honor to represent your country at a final tournament. To wear the the Dutch shirt, sing the Wilhelmus and feel the support of the entire country.”

“But now I, like the entire the Dutch legion, will cheer our team on from the sidelines. Let's go boys,” says De Jong, who concludes the caption with an the Dutch heart.

Although there was initial hope that he would be ready to play during the group stage of the European Championship, a planned examination on Sunday and Monday showed that the ankle is not yet sufficiently resilient.

National coach Ronald Koeman will decide at a later stage whether he wants to add a replacement for De Jong to the Dutch team's European Championship selection.

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