De Jong is a devoted fan of both Barcelona and Lionel Messi

Frenkie De Jong is a name that a lot of Barcelona fans are becoming familiar with. He's 21, plays in midfield for Ajax and his style is being compared to that of Sergio Busquets. These are the basic credentials Barça fans need to know, but there's more.

De Jong was recently interviewed by Dutch magazine 'Santos' in which, rather than distance himself from topics surrounding his future this summer, he declared his love for Barcelona, their style of play and, above all, Lionel Messi. This wasn't the typical "I've dreamt of playing for Barça since I was a child" remark, which is an almost mechanical answer nowadays, but something more - a lot more. There are footballers who lean slightly towards Real Madrid or Barcelona, be it because of rumours, old photographs or leaks to prove something they've already said in public. However De Jong's preference is genuine admiration for Barcelona. In the magazine in question, the title was pretty clear: "Frenkie De Jong, the biggest Messi fan in the Eredivisie." 

legendary team

It isn't strange that an Ajax footballer, who has been influenced by Johan Cruyff amongst others, would hold a deep connection with Barcelona. Cruyff is a huge influence in De Jong's family. "For my dad, no one could play like Cruyff. He grew up with him and let his hair grow so they'd have the same hairstyle." The two of them argue quite often when it comes to the best footballer of all time: Johan or Messi, Frenkie's idol. "Messi doesn't have the charisma of Cruyff is what my dad says. When we talk about football he says that Cruyff allowed others to play better. And my answer is that Messi doesn't need anybody else."

Frenkie is from another era and when he was only 11 years old, he fell in love with Barcelona. "Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Dani Alves, Pedro, Messi, Eto'o, Villa. What a team! Guardiola's team was the best of all time. It was a joy to watch them, but I imagine a nightmare to play against." De Jong flew out to the Camp Nou two years ago but he tries not to miss any of their matches. "I watch them from my sofa, with friends or my girlfriend. Sometimes they talk to me and I don't even answer." 

a dream, an obsession

Barcelona and its football lured a young De Jong in and Lionel Messi has converted him into a Barça addict: "We were on holiday in Spain and my grandad bought me a Messi shirt with the number '30' on the back, his shirt number at the time. My grandad knew that I liked Messi and I wore that shirt until it was too small for me." He'd never pass up the opportunity to enjoy the little magician up close. "Of course I'd love to play with him. He's 31 now, so I better hurry up."