Sports · Football · 2 hrs ago
De Jong says he was substituted to avoid injury risk
Frenkie de Jong was substituted at half-time in the Netherlands' 7-0 win over Greece.
The Barcelona midfielder said the score was 5-0 at the break and he had only recently returned from injury.
He had been injured at the World Cup and had resumed playing only a few weeks earlier.
De Jong, who wore the captain's armband, said he had not yet played many minutes.
He also cited travel and international commitments, saying there was no need to take risks.
His decision reflected caution as he returned to playing after injury.
Frenkie de Jong said he was substituted at halftime in the Netherlands’ 7-0 win over Greece to avoid taking injury risks.
He said he had only recently returned from injury and had not yet played many minutes.
De Jong said the 5-0 halftime score made the substitution sensible.
He had been injured at the World Cup and returned to action a few weeks before the match.
- Who
- Frenkie de Jong, the Netherlands midfielder.
- What
- He said he was substituted at halftime as a precaution after recently returning from injury.
- When
- At halftime of the Netherlands-Greece match; the article was published on November 13, 2026.
- Where
- Johan Cruyff Arena, in the Netherlands.
- Why
- De Jong said he had recently returned from injury, had played few minutes, and there was no need to take risks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
De Jong was injured.
De Jong returned from injury.
De Jong was substituted with the Netherlands leading Greece 5-0.
De Jong said it was sensible to avoid injury risks.
- Final score
- Netherlands 7-0 Greece
- Halftime score
- Netherlands 5-0 Greece
- Substitution
- De Jong was taken off at halftime
- Venue
- Johan Cruyff Arena
- Article publication
- November 13, 2026
What people are saying
There was no need to take risks
The score was 5-0 at halftime and I have just returned from an injury, so it made sense to me to be substituted
I have just returned and I have not played many minutes yet. With all the travel and international commitments, and considering what I have been through before, there was no need to take risks