Frenkie de Jong ruled out of Euro 2024 with ankle injury in major blow to Netherlands [Video]

The Barcelona midfielder was in a race to return to fitness in time for the tournament in Germany, having been kept on the sidelines by the ankle problem since a defeat to Real Madrid on April 21.

There was a positive update for the Netherlands when De Jong participated in training over the weekend, though he was kept away from any contact. Dutch boss Ronald Koeman suggested he would still take De Jong to the Euros even if he missed the first two group-stage matches, but admitted he would have to reconsider if the 27-year-old was unlikely to return before the knockout stages.

De Jong was not involved in his country’s 4-0 friendly win over Iceland on Monday night, and instead revealed that he will play no part in the upcoming tournament.

He posted on social media: “I’m sad and disappointed that I won’t make it to the [Euros].

“We’ve been doing a lot of [work] the last few weeks, …