Barcelona midfielder absent from training with club’s permission for personal reasons | OneFootball

After a day off, FC Barcelona players returned to training today as they began preparations for their second La Liga game against UD Levante.

The Blaugrana will travel to Ciudad de Valencia for the game set to be played on Saturday with the aim of making two wins in two after defeating RCD Mallorca in the season opener.

No Frenkie de Jong in training

According to Mundo Deportivo, one Barcelona player, Frenkie de Jong, was absent from the training sessions today at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

De Jong, like the rest of his teammates, was due at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning at 9:30 to train under the watchful eye of manager Hansi Flick.

Not in training today. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, as per the report, De Jong was absent from the session with the club’s approval. The midfielder attended a hospital to be by the side of his partner, Mikky Kiemeney, who is about to give birth to their second child.

De Jong, now 28 years old, first became a father on 21 November 2023, when Mikky gave birth to their son, Miles.

The date was not chosen by chance: the number 21 is a tribute to the Dutchman’s late grandfather, with whom he shared a strong bond and who passed away on the very day De Jong turned 21. It is also why the midfielder proudly wears the No. 21 shirt at Barça.

A key cog in Flick’s team, De Jong is now set to become a father for the second time.

Congratulations to the happy couple!