Barcelona: De Jong agent breaks silence on reported Deco feud

De Jong reported ill just before Barcelona’s Champions League match against Antwerp.

Frenkie De Jong’s agent has dismissed “nonsense” claims about his client’s reported feud with Deco.

The 26-year-old missed out on Barcelona’s 3-2 defeat against Antwerp in the Champions League due to illness. On Thursday, a report from Spanish outlet RAC1 claimed Deco was furious after hearing De Jong’s justification for not travelling with the team, accusing the Dutchman of “faking his illness”.

De Jong’s agent, however, says there are no “question marks” over his client’s health.

“Total fake news,” Ali Dursun said of the reports. “It’s the biggest nonsense that has been released around Frenkie in ages. The player is just sick. He has fever symptoms and was unable to travel and play. This boy is a professional at heart.

“There has been no shouting from the phone, as is claimed, there are no question marks. Things are now being created in a false way. The relationship with Deco is just good and stable.”

Barcelona are under pressure after losing their last two matches. Having slipped to the fourth spot on the La Liga table, Xavi’s side hope to have De Jong back when they meet Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday. Xavi’s men will then host Almeria in a mid-week clash four days later.