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Frenkie de Jong On Lionel Messi: "Now My Idol Will Be My Teammate"

Frenkie de Jong On Lionel Messi: "Now My Idol Will Be My Teammate"

The Dutchman has spoke glowingly about his new team.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Frenkie de Jong will fulfill a childhood dream in playing for Barcelona and becoming a teammate of his idol Lionel Messi.

In January, De Jong agreed to join Barcelona in a transfer worth £65 million and the Netherlands starlet has spoken glowingly about his new team.

"I am very happy to be here finally," he said at his official unveiling.

"As a child it was a dream for me to play at Barca, and now I'm here so it's great."

Image: Barcelona
Image: Barcelona

De Jong idolised Messi since he was a kid and he'll now call the legendary Barcelona captain his teammate.

"I'm really looking forward to setting foot on the Camp Nou pitch for the first time," he said. "I'm happy to be able to play with Messi, who I have always followed. Now my idol will be my team-mate."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Image: PA
Image: PA

De Jong enjoyed a breakout campaign last season as he shot to fame following his heroic performances in the middle of the park, notably in the Champions League where Ajax reached the semi-finals.

"I like Barca's way of playing," he added. "The philosophy of Barca and Ajax are very similar, and I think I will enjoy it.

"Barca and Holland have always had a great, special connection, and I hope to follow in that tradition. I want to be one of the great Dutch players who have played at Barcelona."

De Jong has been touted as the heir to Sergio Busquets for his passing prowess and ability to dictate a game.

Will the 22-year-old be a success at the Camp Nou? Let us know what you think.

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Topics: Football, Barcelona, Messi News, Lionel Messi, Barcelona news, Ajax, Frenkie De Jong, Camp Nou