Frenkie de Jong talks World Cup match against Sweden

Twenty‑nine‑year‑old midfielder Frenkie de Jong will line up for the Netherlands in their second World Cup group match against Sweden at NRG Stadium in Houston, kicking off at 19:00 Dutch time, as he reflects on his lifelong love of the ball in a new interview. As a child, De Jong spent time playing with a ball on Beatrixstraat in Arkel, on schoolyards, and on a campsite on the Costa Brava. He says he was always "with a ball" wherever he was. The 29‑year‑old describes football as a hobby, adding, "It is a hobby, even though it is my work." He says he can "lose myself in it and enjoy it enormously." Today the setting is NRG Stadium in Houston, far from the streets of his youth. The match will be streamed live on .nl, the app, broadcast on NPO 1 and NPO Radio 1.

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De Jong notes, "Naturally there is more at stake than with friends on a playground," when discussing the World Cup clash. He adds that once he is playing, he does not think about the pressure. He describes his game as involving dribbles, rushes and playing on feeling, while also scanning the field and locating opponents. He says, "I have always had insight and overview, and over the years I have developed it further."

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As a youngster he idolised Pep Guardiola's FC Barcelona and even wore a Lionel Messi shirt while camping in Spain. He later said, "Messi is for me the ultimate footballer. A very different player than me, but I am grateful that I have been able to play with him and others." De Jong says his dreams have always centered on the game and moments in matches, including playing for the Dutch national team. He admits he sometimes envisions winning the World Cup trophy, adding, "Of course everyone dreams of that and I have seen it in my mind."