de Jong describes El Clasico: “Most important game in the world”
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has described the duel between Real Madrid and Barcelona popularly called El Clasico as the biggest football game in the world.
Speaking in an interview with TV3, de Jong has admitted that it was a childhood dream of his to play for the Catalans in El Clasico matches against Real Madrid.
Barcelona will face off against their arch-rivals in a Clasico encounter on Sunday night at Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga.
The match could have great repercussions over the title race and a win for the Blaugrana could see them go 12 points clear at the top of the table.
Ahead of the vital clash, De Jong, who has grown into a critical member of Xavi Hernandez’s side, revealed that the game against Real Madrid is the biggest one for the players and the fans and he always dreamt of playing in Clasicos growing up.
“I think the Clásico is the most important game for Barça fans and also for all the players. It can often play an important role in deciding who wins La Liga,” De Jong said.
“It’s a feeling that is very difficult to explain, but since I was a kid I always dreamt of playing for Barça in a Clásico, it will make me very happy and I’m really looking forward to it.”
During last summer, De Jong was heavily linked with an exit from Barcelona, with Manchester United showing a strong interest in signing him. But the midfielder dug his heels in decided to stay put at Camp Nou.
Having done so, he is now an ‘untouchable’ in the side and Barça have no intentions to sell the midfielder anytime soon. De Jong, too, admitted that he has always dreamt of playing for the Catalans and hopes to stay at the club for many years.
“Barça have always been my dream club and, therefore, I hope to be able to continue there for many years to come. We are having a good season in La Liga, we haven’t done so well in Europe but, overall, we are progressing well,” he said.
The midfielder then went on to add that he wishes to win the La Liga title with the Blaugrana having failed to lift the crown even once in his spell at Camp Nou.
“We have a good lead over Real Madrid but there is still a long way to go. It’s my fourth year and I haven’t won La Liga. I really want to win it, like the rest of the team,” De Jong added.
