De Jong hits out at media after Barcelona extension: 'Salary lies affected me'

Tom Weber

• 15 Oct 2025 11:03 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong took aim at the press after signing a contract extension, claiming that false rumours about his salary negatively affected the perception of him.

The Netherlands international has been a divisive figure in Catalunya in recent years. A €86 million signing in 2019, Barcelona supporters have frequently criticised De Jong for what they perceive as underwhelming performances.

For years, the 28-year-old had been linked with an exit from the club, and many felt that the previous season would be his last as he only had a year to run on his contract heading into the summer.

However, Barcelona have stood by one of their captains and have handed him a new deal until 2029. The extension was announced on Tuesday, and De Jong faced the media on Wednesday after returning from international duty.

The midfielder used the opportunity to air his grievances with the press. His previous deal was generally believed to have been one of the most lucrative in all of European football and certainly among the best-paid in LaLiga.

De Jong slams media for salary lies

However, De Jong insists that the numbers thrown around in the media were greatly exaggerated, in turn, negatively affecting Barcelona supporters' perception of him.

"I'm not going to say what I'm earning," De Jong began his rant. "They [the media] have always talked a lot about it, and I've already said a couple of times that what I supposedly earned before was greatly exaggerated, and the [accurate] figures have never been revealed.

"I think that has affected how people see me a little, because if they read in the newspapers that Frenkie earns that much and that he's the highest earner in Europe, which wasn't true, that does affect how people see me.

"And I think it's your fault. But I'm very happy, and the club is happy, too. Otherwise, I wouldn't have renewed." De Jong also took a jibe at the media when asked if he felt underappreciated.

"I don't feel undervalued by teammates, coaches, or people within the club. That's more your business. In the end, everyone can have their opinion. That's the beauty of football: everyone sees it differently. But I don't feel undervalued by my teammates or the club."

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