According to a report by Barca Universal on Tuesday November 10, 2026, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has expressed his willingness to become the Netherlands captain in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, describing the opportunity as a great honour.

The Dutch international believes he can lead through his professionalism and actions rather than relying on being vocal on the pitch.

De Jong is returning to international duty after recovering from an injury that disrupted his summer preparations. He recently impressed during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid, helping his side control the game after coming off the bench.

The midfielder is now back with the Netherlands squad under Xavi Hernandez, who previously coached him at Barcelona. With Van Dijk potentially unavailable, De Jong has emerged as a candidate to wear the captain's armband.

Speaking about the possibility, the Barcelona star explained that the final decision rests with the national team manager. However, he would gladly accept the responsibility if selected.

He acknowledged that Van Dijk provides strong vocal leadership but believes he can contribute differently through his attitude and professionalism. De Jong also revealed that Lionel Messi influenced his understanding of captaincy during their time together at Barcelona.

He described his potential leadership approach as a combination of Messi's calm authority and Van Dijk's vocal presence.

The midfielder also discussed Xavi's tactical ideas with the Netherlands, praising the clarity of the manager's footballing philosophy. He admitted that recognising familiar patterns from their Barcelona days has made adapting to the system easier.

De Jong also welcomed the possibility of partnering Borussia Dortmund midfielder Joey Veerman, insisting that talented players can complement one another regardless of their individual positions.

Finally, the 28-year-old provided a positive update on his fitness. He confirmed that he feels healthy, motivated and ready to play again after his difficult injury spell.