Frenkie de Jong praises Xavi Hernandez's leadership at Barcelona
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has hailed the impact of manager Xavi Hernandez on the team, calling him "one of the best midfielders in history" in an interview with TV3.
Hernandez took over as manager in November 2021 and has led the team to the top of the league standings, as well as winning the Spanish Super Cup.
De Jong, who has become a vital player under Hernandez's guidance, spoke of the manager's influence on the team, and said: "He helps us a lot. He shows us footage of recent matches and tells us where we can make better decisions."
The Dutchman also discussed his own form, but refrained from labelling this as his best season, and stated: "If this is my best season, the people have to determine it, not me."
De Jong also praised his captain and midfield partner, Sergio Busquets, whose future at Barcelona is uncertain as his contract nears expiry. He said: "Everyone sees Busquets' talent. He's very important and it shows."
Furthermore, De Jong expressed his admiration for the young talent emerging from Barcelona's academy, such as Ansu Fati, Gavi, Pedri, Alejandro Balde and Ronald Araujo. He believed that these players are already at a high level but have a lot of room for improvement.
Finally, De Jong professed his love for the Camp Nou stadium, describing it as "the most beautiful stadium in the world" because of its history and open-top structure. He also recounted visiting the stadium as a child and how it had been a special experience for him.