De Jong: Barcelona wanted to sell me for a while, but I insisted on staying&&; I am grateful to Barcelona

Hupu News on October 18 Recently, after completing the contract extension with Barcelona, ​​Dutch international Frenkie de Jong also accepted an exclusive interview with the Spanish media "El Pais". He also talked about related topics and situations.

About contract renewal

I have always been clear that I want to stay in Barcelona. I've always been happy with how this team is run and I've enjoyed my time playing here. There was a time when I was under a lot of pressure; there was a time when someone at the club wanted to make a profit by selling me. I could understand their approach at the time. After all, the club was facing severe financial difficulties at that time, and I was a player with a certain transfer market value.

But at that time I was very determined: I wanted to stay in Barcelona. And I firmly believe that if everything goes well, I will get a chance to play. This has always been the case. Ultimately, when you have a contract, if you decide to stay, just stay. This is why I am fearless. Now, after renewing my contract with the club, I am always grateful to Barcelona for their trust and I am grateful to this club.

About Ter Stegen

Things can sometimes be complicated. If I'm in good form and the coach doesn't let me play, then I'll leave. I have a passion for football and want to play.

Should we promote ourselves more in the media?

No, I hope to live a peaceful life. I don’t want people in the media who always defend me and only say good things about me. If I perform poorly, I will be criticized; if I perform well, I will naturally receive the recognition I deserve.

Messi and Yamal always say you are the best, so why do some people say you don't play well? Is it because others don’t understand football, or are you not good at “selling” yourself?

To be honest, it’s both. The beauty of football is that everyone has an opinion. Some people even think Messi is not the best - you can't convince everyone. As for me, I feel like I at least know how to play football. A lot of teammates and coaches do say I'm undervalued in the media, and maybe that's true.

Do you know Messi has such thoughts about you?

Yes, I know he has such thoughts about me.

How do you feel when Messi praises you?

Of course, it makes you proud.

Do you remember what he told you?

He didn’t just come up to me one morning while having breakfast and say, ‘You’re great’. No, it's not like that. But I still don't want to say more - Messi doesn't like his private conversations to be known.

About your playing style

I find it difficult to evaluate my playing style because I don’t score many goals and don’t have many assists. People place too much emphasis on data these days. I have the ball relatively long, and sometimes I have the ball longer than other players. I don't always do it with just one or two touches, of course, sometimes I do, but it depends on the situation.

Do you think this is an advantage or a disadvantage?

Of course it is an advantage. If not, I wouldn't do it. When I am unmarked, I prefer to draw opponents towards me and create space for my teammates. If I pass the ball quickly to, say, a full-back who is being marked, he's going to be in trouble. People might say, 'Wow, he plays so fast', but for me it was a tactical mistake.

About the media coverage of your salary

When the media started saying that I became one of the highest-paid players in Europe, people started to look at me that way. They felt that I was overpaid and should leave. Part of the reason for this comes from the media, who may say their information comes from within the club. There's nothing wrong with that, but ultimately they're the ones releasing the information.

For example, if the BBC claims that I earn €40 million a year, they have a responsibility to verify that information. And when that information is false, I have every right to call them out publicly for spreading lies, as it did in this case. Still, I understand how the industry works. ”

Is there a lack of personality in the locker room?

Many people think that leaders have to shout loudly, lose their temper, or blame teammates. But I believe that people with real personality are those who stick to their principles, are honest, and are willing to help their teammates. Being a leader does not necessarily mean shouting. In fact, if you yell all the time, others will not listen to you. Real wisdom lies in knowing how to speak at the right time.

About Free Gram

He has a strong personality, clear and clear ideas, and is amiable, but at the same time he has strict requirements. If you don't do what he asks, you don't get a chance to play. In terms of tactics, we follow his philosophy, which is the style of our team, but within the established system, we also have the freedom to show our personal characteristics. So I think a lot of people find Barcelona games very interesting: every player has a chance to express himself on the field.