De Jong describes Messi's silent leadership at Barcelona

In the dressing room of the Camp Nou, Frenkie De Jong has not forgotten the experience of sharing the locker room with Lionel Messi. The Dutch midfielder, who arrived at Barcelona in 2019 from Ajax, played alongside the Argentine until 2021, before the departure of the Flea from the blaugrana.

During that period he was able to observe up close how the number ten exercised his leadership. De Jong highlighted Messi’s ability to command without raising his voice, stating: “I lived the experience of having Messi as captain. He never shouted, but he was the undisputed leader.” According to the Dutchman, the Argentine superstar imposed himself thanks to his presence and his example, without resorting to big speeches or theatrical attitudes.

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The comparison has become useful ahead of a possible captain’s armband with the Dutch national team, given the absence of Virgil van Dijk due to injury, and De Jong said: “With the armband I would be a middle ground between Messi and Van Dijk. It would be a great honour if it were to happen.” He also praised Xavi Hernández, now head coach of the Netherlands after having coached him at Barcelona, stating: “He is very clear in his ideas and in what he wants to see. I have already noticed some patterns in the construction of the game that are typical of his football. The fact that he was also a midfielder makes everything even more interesting.” De Jong concludes that that link between past and present continues to influence his approach to the game.

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