Barcelona fans loudly boo their own player during his return to Camp Nou in some disappointing moments.
Barcelona fans made headlines by booing one of their own players before their pre-season friendly against Egyptian team Al Ahly. Hamza Abdelkarim and Raphinha helped Hansi Flick’s team win 2-1 in the Joan Gamper Cup at Camp Nou.
Fans were excited for this last pre-season game, warmly welcoming new signing Rodri with a big round of applause as he walked out in his Barcelona jersey, after joining from Manchester City for £65 million. Another new player, Anthony Gordon, who arrived from Newcastle for £69 million, also got loud cheers.
Gordon is one of four confirmed new players this summer, and Joao Cancelo is expected to be the fifth after ending his contract with Al-Hilal to return to Barcelona. Even though Cancelo hasn’t officially been announced, he was clearly upset he wasn’t introduced to the fans, despite being with the team and wearing the new kit.
The drama didn’t stop there. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong was booed by the crowd when his name was announced. He didn’t react as he joined his teammates on the field.
This treatment might be linked to reports from Spanish journalist Gerard Moreno, who claimed de Jong refused to play against Atletico Madrid last season and had a tough relationship with coach Hansi Flick. De Jong denied these reports in an interview, saying, “Gerard Romero said I refused to play against Atletico in the Champions League last year. That’s not true.” He also said his relationship with Flick is good and laughed off rumors saying otherwise.
De Jong is currently out with an MCL injury from the World Cup and might miss the start of the season because he chose not to have surgery. He’s still one of Europe’s best midfielders, but things have gotten harder for him at Camp Nou.
With Rodri and other midfielders in the squad, finding regular playing time will be tough. According to SPORT, de Jong could get an offer before the summer transfer window closes.
Even though he signed a new four-year deal until October 2025, the growing tension with fans puts him in a tricky position. So, even if he stays this summer, he might leave in January.