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Ruud Gullit backtracks on Frenkie de Jong criticism and says Barcelona star ‘deserves all the praise in the world’

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has never been afraid to criticise Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong during his time at the club.

Gullit said De Jong was “like a ghost” at the last World Cup and followed that up by telling the midfielder to leave Barcelona earlier this year.

De Jong has since managed to return to form and fitness at Barcelona, and Gullit says it’s time to give the Netherlands international some praise.

“I’ve criticized him a lot. A few months ago, we all thought he’d become a supporting player in midfield.