Frenkie de Jong continues to make history at FC Barcelona. In the recent match against Real Oviedo, the Dutch midfielder reached 264 official games for the club, equaling Ronald Koeman in the ranking of Dutch players with the most appearances in Barça history.
This milestone highlights both De Jong’s consistency since arriving from Ajax in 2019 and the deep Dutch legacy at the Camp Nou.
De Jong Joins Koeman in Barça’s Dutch History
The Oviedo clash carried special meaning for De Jong. Starting on the bench under Hansi Flick, he came on in the second half for Marc Casadó. Those minutes were enough to match Koeman’s total of 264 appearances.
Koeman is remembered as a legendary figure of Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team, scoring the decisive goal at Wembley that delivered Barcelona’s first-ever European Cup in 1992. Now, De Jong stands shoulder to shoulder with him in the record books.
From Ajax Talent to Barça Leader
Since his arrival in the summer of 2019, De Jong has:
- Played six full seasons in Catalonia.
- Become an indispensable presence in midfield.
- Grown into one of the leaders of Flick’s squad.
His intelligence, ball control, and ability to dictate tempo have made him a cornerstone of Barcelona’s playing style.
Only Phillip Cocu Ahead
De Jong now trails just one compatriot in appearances for Barcelona: Phillip Cocu, who played 292 games between 1998 and 2004.
With only 28 matches separating them, and with De Jong under contract and still central to the team, it seems only a matter of time before he becomes the Dutch player with the most games in Barça history.
Dutch Greats in Barça History
The list of Dutch icons at Barcelona is long and prestigious. Alongside De Jong, Koeman, and Cocu, other notable names include:
- Patrick Kluivert (257)
- Michael Reiziger (255)
- Frank de Boer (214)
- Johan Neeskens (183)
- Johan Cruyff (180)
De Jong has already surpassed all but Cocu and Koeman, reaffirming his place in a tradition that has deeply influenced Barça’s identity.
At 264 matches, Frenkie de Jong has equaled one of Barcelona’s greatest legends. Soon, he could surpass Phillip Cocu and stand alone as the Dutch player with the most appearances for the club.
For Barça fans, his journey from Ajax prodigy to midfield leader is another chapter in the rich Dutch legacy at the Camp Nou.
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