De Jong defiant at 300 appearances: 'There's always noise around me'

De Jong marked his 300th Barcelona appearance with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, saying he remains motivated despite criticism during his absences.

Frenkie de Jong reached a milestone of 300 appearances for Barcelona, receiving a commemorative shirt from his teammates after the 3-0 Champions League victory over Aston Villa. In his post-match comments, the midfielder addressed the scrutiny that has followed him, particularly during periods when he has been sidelined through injury or the off-season. "I'm feeling very strong, very motivated," de Jong said. "I know there's always noise around me, especially when I'm not playing, in summer when there's no football or when I'm injured, but now I'm very strong and we'll see what happens." He also expressed his desire to start matches from the beginning, acknowledging that his recent return from injury means the coaching staff will manage his minutes carefully. De Jong's comments appeared to address ongoing debate about his form and fitness, positioning himself as ready for a larger role as Barcelona continue their campaign.