Another injury for France as Thuram ruled out of Nations League by hamstring injury

AMSTERDAM: Frenkie de Jong's return to the Dutch squad offers a significant boost for their aspirations to lead their Nations League group and secure a spot in the quarter-finals next year, according to coach Xavi Hernandez. The injury-riddled midfielder last represented his nation at the World Cup and missed eight Nations League matches that saw the Dutch secure eight points, positioning them alongside Greece at the top of Group A2.

De Jong, the team's leading figure, is expected to take on a prominent role again in the upcoming fixtures against Greece at home and Germany away. Xavi, who previously managed De Jong at Barcelona from 2021-24, emphasized that the 29-year-old understands the team's philosophy and is vital on the field. The coach praised De Jong's versatility, noting that he can excel in various positions, having recently tried his hand as a full-back for Barcelona.

A victory over Greece at the Johan Cruyff Arena would guarantee the Dutch a spot in the last eight, advancing them to the quarter-finals. Xavi is confident that the team has demonstrated sufficient performance in recent matches and maintains hope for qualifying.