Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has paid tribute to new teammate Frenkie De Jong after the young Dutch international midfielder was recognized at the UEFA Champions League Awards on Thursday evening.
Messi, who spoke to reporters after the award ceremony described De Jong as a talented player before adding that he’s delighted to have him in his team at the Nou Camp.
Frenkie De Jong won the UEFA Midfielder of the Year Award at the ceremony held in Monaco.
He was named the award recipient while the Champions League group stage draws for this season took place.
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De Jong won the award ahead of the likes of Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) and Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
The young Dutch midfielder was a key part of the Ajax Amsterdam side that reached the Champions League semifinals last season before they were beaten in dramatic fashion by Tottenham Hotspur.
Frenkie De Jong and Ajax Amsterdam also won two major trophies namely the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Eredivise title.
The Dutchman has moved to Barcelona this summer after the Catalans paid €75m for him as a result of the agreement between them and Ajax Amsterdam dating back to the winter transfer window in January 2019.
