Barcelona, February 26 (QNA) - Barcelona, La Liga leaders, announced that midfielder and captain Frenkie de Jong will be sidelined for five to six weeks due to a right thigh muscle injury sustained during Thursday’s training session.

The 28-year-old will miss upcoming league fixtures against Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as the Champions League Round of 16 tie against Newcastle or PSG.

De Jong is also ruled out of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, where Barcelona seeks to overturn a four-goal deficit.

Barcelona currently leads the league with 61 points, one ahead of second-placed Real Madrid. (QNA)