Hansi Flick ‘loses trust’ in Barcelona captain after key incident; relationship ‘completely broken’ | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona has become a major talking point after fresh reports suggested the midfielder’s relationship with head coach Hansi Flick has deteriorated behind the scenes.

According to Jijantes, trust between the Barcelona manager and his captain has broken down following an incident towards the end of last season, casting uncertainty over the Dutch international’s long-term future at the club. 

While Barcelona continue to monitor De Jong’s recovery from a knee problem sustained during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, questions are also beginning to emerge over whether he still has Flick’s full confidence.

The aforementioned update comes at a time when De Jong is also assessing his own future, with the midfielder keen to understand the full extent of his injury before making any decision regarding the next step in his career.

Champions League incident changed Flick’s view

The report claims the turning point came during Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.

Relationship between Flick and De Jong is broken. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

De Jong had reportedly been scheduled to start the match and play around an hour after receiving clearance from the club’s medical staff. 

However, the midfielder is said to have decided against playing, choosing not to take any risks despite being considered fit enough.

According to the outlet, that decision significantly altered Flick’s perception of one of Barcelona’s most experienced players. 

The German coach became increasingly frustrated with how De Jong handled his physical condition, particularly after concerns that the midfielder delayed obtaining a clear diagnosis.

The report also suggests this episode contributed to Gavi becoming a more regular starter during the closing weeks of the campaign, with Flick placing greater trust in the Spain international over the club captain.

Frenkie de Jong transfer speculation resurfaces

Frenkie de Jong’s future is once again uncertain. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The Dutch midfielder returned from the World Cup with a knee issue that worsened during the Netherlands’ campaign, leaving Barcelona’s medical department to carefully assess his recovery.

According to the report, De Jong wants complete clarity over the expected length of his absence before making any decision about his future. 

At the same time, there is speculation that delaying a definitive diagnosis could also be linked to a possible transfer, although no concrete destination or negotiations have been mentioned.

As things stand, any Barcelona transfer news surrounding De Jong remains centred on uncertainty rather than active negotiations. 

The club is monitoring his physical condition closely while waiting for further medical updates that could influence both his return timeline and his position within Flick’s plans.