Frenkie de Jong will not play in the Netherlands’ first two qualifying matches for Euro 2024 due to injury.
The Barcelona midfielder played the full 90 minutes as the Blaugrana beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Sunday’s El Clasico, 12 points clear to top La Liga.
But he was left with “complaints about his upper leg,” the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) said, leading to his departure from the Oranje squad for upcoming matches.
Ajax striker Steven Bergwijn was also forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.
Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn will not be joining the Orange training camp in Zeist due to injuries. They will be replaced by Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund) and Joey Wirman (PSV).
Take care, Frankie and Steven! #NothingLikeOranje #FRANKS #NEJIB pic.twitter.com/El7MQE4w7h
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 20, 2023
PSV midfielder Joey Wierman and Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen were selected by Ronald Koeman as replacements.
The Netherlands begin their campaign against France in Paris on Friday before taking over Gibraltar at De Kuyp three days later.
Friday’s trip to France will be the first game of Koeman’s second team period.
The former Barcelona boss was confirmed as Oranje’s new head coach ahead of last year’s World Cup, with Louis van Gaal guiding them through to the quarter-finals in Qatar 2022.