De Jong back in Dutch fold, Xavi calls him central to Nations League push

Xavi Hernandez said Monday that Frenkie de Jong's return is a major boost for the Netherlands as they chase top spot in their Nations League group and a place in next year's quarter-finals. The midfielder has been plagued by injuries and last wore the orange shirt at this year's World Cup. He sat out all four Nations League fixtures in which the Dutch picked up eight points to draw level with Greece at the top of Group A2.

De Jong is expected to slide straight back into the playmaking role where Joey Veerman impressed, including in two wins over Serbia and a 2-2 draw in Greece. Xavi brushed off any suggestion the two can't share a pitch. He recalled being told in Spain that he and Andres Iniesta were too similar to play together, adding: “Can you imagine?” Of De Jong, he said: “He knows our philosophy, our ideas and he must be important on the pitch with us.”

The coach wants to see De Jong's personality and experience on show, pointing out he is one of the team's captains. Xavi knows him well, having coached him at Barcelona from 2021 to 2024, and noted De Jong even put in a few minutes at full back in Barcelona's win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. “Frenkie will be no new discovery for me, he's a top player,” Xavi said.

The Netherlands host Greece at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Friday before travelling to Germany. A win over the Greeks would guarantee the Dutch a slot in the last eight in March. Xavi, who took charge of the national team after the World Cup, said qualification is the immediate target and that the squad carries confidence from its last window.