Frenkie de Jong was a doubt for the meeting Netherlands against Swedencorresponding to Group F, but was finally able to play. The midfielder of Barcelona was a starter in the NRG Stadium in Houston and participated in the resounding victory for his teamwho beat the Nordics by a clear 5-1.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden 2026 World Cup Summary
At the end of the meeting, De Jongwho is a player who usually speaks clearly, did not bite his tongue and sent a strong message to his critics. “I have the feeling that many people don’t understand anything about football. They see it, but they don’t understand it, so to speak. “That’s not bad, because it allows everyone to talk about it, but it’s the truth,” said the Netherlands footballer in statements to SBS6.
I hear people say that I don’t make deep passes, but that’s not true. They’re just not paying attention to the game.
Furthermore, De Jong continued defending his style of play. “I hear people say I don’t pass through, but that’s not true. They’re just not paying attention to the game. It depends on the meeting, but also on the moment. You can throw that ball deep, but then it always goes to the goalkeeper. Yes, I think some people have a hard time understanding it. Maybe I should sit down with them sometime. It also depends on the moment itself. “If someone runs or not, how they are running…” he said on SBS6.
I think some people have a hard time understanding it. Maybe I should sit down with them sometime.
Frenkie de Jong gestures in the match against Sweden.
An exaggerated criticism
The midfielder understands criticism, debate, as a part of football as long as he does it judiciously and without exaggerating. That was what he explained after the match against Sweden. “I think that, in general, in the Netherlands we could value the players a little more. Of course, you can criticize if you think someone is not playing a good game. That’s okay and we don’t have any problem with it either. But he often exaggerates so much that he is immediately branded as a bad player.”De Jong said.
I think that, in general, in the Netherlands we could value the players a little more
He often exaggerates so much that he is immediately branded as a bad player.
“We have many guys who play at the highest level, who have been playing for years. Or at a high level. They are all good players. Anyone can have a bad game. And it’s okay if you criticize him for it. Everyone wants to say what they want and I have the feeling that, in the end, they do it to make themselves known”term.