Frankie De Jong admits he was under pressure to leave the club this summer as he also spoke on Champions League disappointment and El Clasico game on Sunday.
Former Ajax midfielder admit to facing pressure at his current club Barcelona in summer as he says ‘the pressure came from everywhere’.
The Dutch midfielder was keen on staying at the Camp Nou side this season despite interest from his former manager Erik Ten Hag.
De Jong, who took a pay cut just to stay at the club stated that he knew he will have limited game time but claims it was his desire to remain with the Spanish team.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport ahead of the Clasico fixture against Real Madrid, De Jong said: “I was calm. I decided, in May, that I wanted to stay.
“My opinion has never changed during all this period. I remained calm. But then you know that the pressure would start coming… Yes, from the newspapers, from the president… From everywhere in fact. But I wanted to stay at Barca, so it never baffled me.”
De Jong spoke on the disappointment in Champions League following a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan at Camp Nou.
“Of course we are disappointed after the game against Inter but we have to change our mood and focus on the Clásico. We have to show that we are still a good team.”
The midfielder also acknowledged the talent of Real Madrid’s midfielder Luka Modric ahead of the El Clasico.
“They have strong players in the midfield. They have Modric. How old is he? 35, 36 or 37? Who cares? He continues to contribute a lot at his age and is one of the best midfielders in the world. I love watching him play ”
