DBasia.news – Barcelona’s recruit, Frenkie de Jong, wears number 21 in Barcelona. Originally, it was the number belonging to Carles Alena.
That is, De Jong will use a number that has been used at Ajax Amsterdam. Since the 1995-96 season, De Jong has become the ninth player to carry Barcelona’s number 21. Previously this number had been used by players such as Robert Prosinecki, Luis Enrique, Lillian Thuram, Alexander Hleb, Dmytro Chygrynskiy, Adriano Correia, Andre Gomes, and Alena.
In the announcement of De Jong’s number, Barcelona said the former Ajax captain had got it after Alena was willing to hand over number 21 to De Jong. Alena himself then got number 19, which was used last year by Kevin-Prince Boateng.
However, apparently what was conveyed by Barcelona was not an actual event. Alena said he did not know he had to release number 21 to De Jong.
Alena claims, the club promised De Jong to use number 21 without first asking for his opinion. But Alena stressed, he was finally willing to let him go because he wanted to maintain a relationship with De Jong.
“Giving number 21 to De Jong is something between him and me. I just want to send a message to the club because they promised De Jong that number without telling me,” Alena said as quoted by the International Goal.
“All that leaves something unpleasant. It feels bad. I always behave well while at the club.”
Indeed, Alena should not be discouraged by the number 19 that he is currently wearing. Because the number has been used by many Barcelona stars, including Lionel Messi who carried it for two seasons, from 2006 to 2008.
However, what bothers Alena is, of course, the treatment of Barcelona who did not first tell him and announced that he decided to give number 21 to De Jong.