De Jong backed to 'define an era' at Camp Nou by Barca legend

A Barcelona legend whose legacy will hard to match even for gifted players suggests the versatile Dutchman could be the one to do it.

Frenkie de Jong is in just his second season at FC Barcelona and has quickly become one of the most crucial figures in the team.

The midfielder was picked up by the Catalan giants on a five-year deal in a transfer worth €75 million from Ajax after he received widespread recognition for guiding the Dutch outfit to a domestic double and semi-finals of the Champions League.

Upon his arrival, many viewed him as the successor to Xavi Hernandez – a man who is a club icon, having lifted 25 major trophies and made over 600 appearances with the Blaugrana.

Xavi won 25 titles with Barcelona and 3 with Spain, and is the player with most appearneces in a Barca shirt playing 767 games. pic.twitter.com/bzpdfHrpES
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) January 25, 2017

De Jong has a long way to go before even beginning to match Xavi’s legacy, but early signs have been positive.

The club legend is in awe of the Dutchman’s talent and believes he could take the central role for the new generation for Barcelona.

“I consider him a footballer who is capable of defining an era at Barcelona,” Xavi wrote in a post on the official Instagram account of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, via Marca.

“I’m sure that playing for the Netherlands he will be one of the best players at the 2022 World Cup.

“I was happy when he signed for Barcelona and I congratulated him. He seems to me an extraordinary footballer. He’s not afraid to receive the ball in areas where it is difficult to turn. He’s very good.”