Speaking to Dutch outlet NOS after the Netherlands’ strong World Cup showing against Sweden, Frenkie de Jong reflected on both his personal journey and his team’s momentum on the global stage. The Dutch side currently sit top of Group F with four points, following a 2-2 draw with Japan and an emphatic 5-1 win over Sweden.
Key Points:
- Frenkie de Jong says football is still his "hobby", insisting his love for the game remains unchanged despite the pressures of playing at the highest level.
- The Barcelona midfielder named Lionel Messi as the "perfect footballer", recalling how surreal it was to go from admiring the Argentine as a fan to becoming his teammate.
- De Jong believes the Netherlands should target World Cup glory, stating the current squad has the quality to compete for the biggest prize in international football.
- The Dutch now face Tunisia in their final Group F clash, while Messi's Argentina continue their World Cup campaign with upcoming matches against Austria and Jordan.
A lifelong love for football that never fades
Despite operating at the highest level of the sport, De Jong insists his relationship with football remains deeply rooted in joy rather than pressure.
“It’s still my hobby, even though it’s my job,” he said. “I enjoy playing football so much. I can really immerse myself in it and feel a lot of pleasure. Of course, there’s more at stake compared to playing with your friends, but the feeling once you start is still almost the same.”
For fans, it’s a reminder of why De Jong’s style resonates so strongly—elite execution built on pure enjoyment of the game.
Messi admiration: from fan to teammate at Camp Nou
The conversation naturally turned to Lionel Messi, with De Jong openly sharing his admiration for the Argentine superstar, who recently delivered a World Cup masterclass with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. Growing up watching Barcelona’s golden era under Pep Guardiola, De Jong admitted that Messi was always the player he admired most.
“For me, Messi is simply the perfect footballer,” he said. “I’ve always watched him more than anyone else. Barcelona under Guardiola was the football I enjoyed the most. Some of those players I used to admire as a fan, I later got to play alongside. That’s really something special.”
From watching Messi at his peak to sharing a dressing room with him at Camp Nou, De Jong’s journey has come full circle in the most surreal way possible.
World Cup dream: Netherlands aiming higher
Looking ahead, De Jong’s focus shifts firmly back to international glory. While Argentina continue their charge to defend the World Cup title, the Netherlands are equally determined to mount their own serious challenge. The Barcelona midfielder believes the ambition must match the scale of the tournament itself.
“I think everyone dreams of that,” he said. “The World Cup is the biggest stage in football. The goal is simply to win it. I also think we have a team that should aim for that.”
With belief growing inside the squad, the Netherlands now prepare for their final group-stage match against Tunisia, with top spot in Group F still up for grabs.
What’s next at the World Cup
The Netherlands will look to finish their group campaign strongly against Tunisia, aiming to carry momentum into the knockout rounds. Elsewhere, Messi’s Argentina continue their journey with upcoming fixtures against Austria and Jordan as they push to defend their world crown.
