Memphis Depay Sparks Controversy in Brazil as Netherlands Star Continues to Shine
Memphis Depay stood, bases planted forcefully on the ball, as Corinthians surged to palm over Palmeiras in the Paulista A1 final. The bold gesture sparked a furious brawl, ending with one player from each platoon being transferred off.
The Brazilian Football Confederation labelled the act a “provocation to a rival and disrespect for the game,” punishable by a yellow card. Depay, still, brushed off the review, alongside Brazil legend Neymar.
“I really went to Brazil to experience jogo bonito [the beautiful game],” said Depay. “There is so much talent over here. The joy and passion in the way of expressing ourselves on the field shouldn’t be limited.”
“Football is getting more and more boring,” added Neymar. Depay is far from conventional. Rapper. Philanthropist. Muse.
At 31, with a captain tattooed across his reverse and a hand sweatband across his brow, he has sculpted his own path.
Once a PSV Eindhoven sensation and Manchester United misfit, he reinvented himself with the help of analytics. He shone at Lyon, claimed flatware in Spain, and became a cult figure in Brazil.
And yet, he’s also the Netherlands’ top arranger, now sitting on 52 pretensions, surpassing legends like Robin van Persie.
“I travelled to Brazil specifically to see if he could still be of sufficient value to the Dutch national team as a Corinthians player,” said Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman. “You don’t do that for everyone.”
In a nation accustomed to losing its stars to Europe, Depay has bucked the trend. But his time at Corinthians hasn’t been without tension. Bonus payments sparked debates, with the club agreeing to instalments.
“The fans like him a lot,” says Bruno Cassucci, a Corinthians reporter for Globo. “But there’s much debate about his cost-benefit, since Memphis is a very expensive player and the club is dealing with huge financial problems.”
Depay’s influence has been undeniable. Seven goals in 11 games late last season lifted Corinthians from 18th to seventh in the league, culminating in a state championship.
“He helped the team avoid relegation and, with an impressive run, secured qualification for this year’s Copa Libertadores,” explains Cassucci. “This season he won the Paulista Championship, helping Corinthians end a six-year title drought.”
Yet it is not just goals that have won fans over.
“He also gave us his big personality,” said Corinthians executive Fabinho Soldado. “He has blended very well with Brazilian culture, so people feel closer to him.”
Depay has embraced Brazil fully, calling it the “mecca of football” and praising Latin American energy.
“They are more fascinated by life,” he said. “The way they experience life, it is not just football.”
Away from the pitch, he has collaborated with Brazilian funk artist MC Hariel on an album celebrating local communities.
“You can see me one day in a suit with important people, politicians, whatever, and the next day I’m with people that have less opportunities,” Depay said.
“I know that if I spend just one hour talking to people, they can maybe get inspired. I want to go there to help them.”
His journey has been global. From catching the eye at the 2014 World Cup to moving to Manchester United under Louis van Gaal, Depay has always been in the spotlight. Former teammate Wayne Rooney remembers him as flashy but talented.
“There were a few things at Manchester United, which I suppose are just the way it’s gone now, where he was a bit flashy. I’m sure he’ll say that himself,” said Rooney.
Depay later took a data-driven approach to find the ideal club, rejecting offers from Everton, Fenerbahce, and others to join Lyon.
There, he rediscovered his form, netting 76 goals in 178 games. Barcelona came calling, followed by Atletico Madrid, before he moved to Brazil.
For the Netherlands, Depay has been indispensable. A muse for the team’s 2022 World Cup collection, his lion tattoo inspired the design’s power and confidence.
“One of the guys who stood out a lot was Memphis Depay,” said designer Arsenio Lopez. “I used him a lot as the main muse – his expression, the giant lion tattoo he has on his back.”
Depay scored in Qatar, helping the Netherlands past the USA, and remains central to the team despite injury setbacks. His longevity has seen him break records, surpassing Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
“Fans have come to appreciate him – they recognise there are not many strong alternatives at centre-forward right now,” says journalist Arthur Renard.
Even at 31, Depay’s story continues. After a stolen passport delayed his arrival for a World Cup qualifier in Malta, he may start on the bench. But the bond with Koeman remains strong.
Koeman announced that forward Memphis Depay will not be able to immediately join the team due to his passport being stolen in Brazil.
The 31-year-old Corinthians striker is waiting to receive a new document, after which he will be able to join the rest of the squad. Koeman… pic.twitter.com/fQsM09pSlk
— Boomerang Bet (@Boomerang_SB) October 7, 2025
“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Koeman said. “Sometimes you have a bond with a player that is just a little stronger and bigger.”
Memphis Depay is not just a player. He’s a phenomenon. On the pitch, in music, and across continents, he continues to defy expectation.
