De Jong expected more trophies when joining Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong

revealed that he expected there to be more trophies at

since his move from

three years ago. He has only contributed to one Copa del Rey title since joining in 2019, with the Blaugrana dealing with a lot of financial issues. They had to cash in on some key players and change manager three times.

Notwithstanding that frustration, the Netherlands international admitted that he is satisfied at Camp Nou.

He made the move on a deal worth €75 million (£65m/$85m) in January 2019 but he linked up with the team that summer before the start of the next season. The Blaugrana finished second in La Liga with

grabbing the title and they have failed to win a trophy since 2008.

They did win the Copa del Rey the next campaign but finished third in La Liga, which was the first time Barcelona finished outside the top two after 13 years.

"

I’m very happy I’m at Barcelona: from a young age I’ve wanted to be here, so in that way it has been a dream come true,"

he told 

The Observer

.

"But, of course, I would have liked to win more trophies than we did in my first two years. I expected more in that sense, let’s put it that way. But other than that, I’m very happy here and hopefully for many more years."

Since De Jong graduated from the Ajax academy and was among the squad that reached the Champions League semi-finals, his arrival was an excitement event.

When he joined the team, the speculations surrounding his role at the club started raising and many believed that he would take the place of Sergio Busquets.

De Jong, however, insisted that the two share a good relationship as the Spain international went out of his way to welcome him.

"

He was like [in a text message]: ‘Great you’re coming and if you need something I’m always there to help,’"

De Jong said.

"And when I arrived in Barcelona, he recommended a restaurant and made a reservation for me and my girlfriend, Mikky. He had also informed the owner that we were coming, so that everything was well arranged for us."

One of the main factors affecting the struggle for silverware at Camp Nou is the financial problem, which has not been helpful in their transfer market moves, forcing them to cash in on some key players to reduce the wage bill.

Lionel Messi was their most high-profile exit when he left the club as a free agent and the club could not pen a new contract with him.

The news of Messi’s leave shocked De Jong back then and the club had to get used to his absence.

"

First of all I thought it wasn’t true,"

he said.

"I was collecting my dad and brother from the airport. Then I got a message: ‘Messi is leaving Barcelona.’

"A bit later we got indications it was really happening. At first you just can’t believe it, even though there were rumours throughout the summer. But I never took it into serious consideration, so when it happened it was a shock.

"He was the face of the club, so when he left – after everything he has done for the club – it was a heavy blow for everyone. We still miss him. If someone like him is not at the club any more, then things are suddenly very different.

"If you have such a player in your team, you just try to find him as much as possible on the pitch – so the game is adjusted to him, which is logical. So when he leaves you have to adjust to it as a player and team.

"I think he is the best in pretty much all aspects of football. Whether we did finishing drills, positioning plays or other training games: he was the best. No praise about him is exaggerated. For me he is the best ever."

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