Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Frenkie de Jong Talks Lionel Messi Return, Predicts 'Hard Game' vs. Inter Milan

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong said it's "easier" to play alongside Lionel Messi, but he nevertheless expects a difficult match against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Messi, who missed Barca's first four matches of the campaign with a foot injury, was absent against Getafe on Saturday with an adductor problem. He has been declared fit to face Inter, though.

De Jong told Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport):

"We miss him and that's normal as he's the best player in the world, but without him, we have sufficient qualities and ideas to impose ourselves on the pitch.