Frenkie de Jong Changes Barcelona Shirt Name After 7 Seasons

FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has made a subtle modification to his jersey printing, dropping the initial from his name to wear simply "DE JONG" above his trademark number 21. Since arriving at the Catalan club in the summer of 2019, the Dutch playmaker had consistently featured "F. DE JONG" across his back.

The change brings an end to a long-running kit compromise dating back to his transfer from Ajax. Ahead of his debut campaign in Catalonia, personal and club sponsor Nike had reportedly pushed for the midfielder to wear just "FRENKIE" on the back of his shirt for merchandising reasons. De Jong was reluctant to feature his first name and insisted on representing his surname, ultimately reaching an agreement with the brand and club to display "F. DE JONG".

Now deep into his Barcelona career, the 29-year-old has officially reverted to the format he originally wore during his breakthrough years in Amsterdam, where his Ajax kits read only "DE JONG". The streamlined look marks a clean and understated update to one of Barça's most recognizable squad numbers.