Frenkie de Jong’s participation in the 2026 World Cup concluded with the Netherlands’ elimination by Morocco following a penalty shootout. The Barcelona midfielder featured in the match and remained on the pitch for nearly 110 minutes, yet his performance in the midfield drew significant criticism following the team’s exit. Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart addressed the criticism leveled at the 28-year-old.
He stated that his performance was among the weakest he had witnessed from the player. “Frenkie de Jong played the worst match I have ever seen from him,” commented van der Vaart. Despite his candid assessment, the Dutch legend did not place sole blame on the Barcelona player.
Instead, he highlighted broader systemic issues within the national team. Van der Vaart emphasized that the outcome was influenced by tactical deficiencies and a perceived lack of adequate midfield support within the Netherlands squad. This suggests that while de Jong faced scrutiny for his individual contribution, the broader team structure and tactical execution were also identified as key factors contributing to the elimination.
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