Memphis Depay arrives at the World Cup recovered and receives praise from the Netherlands coach
- By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial
Forward Memphis Depay, from Corinthians, is available for the Netherlands national team for their debut at the 2026 World Cup. The European team will face Japan this Sunday (14), at 5pm (Brasília time), at the Dallas Stadium, in the United States, in the first round of Group F of the World Cup.
In a press conference held last Saturday (13), coach Ronald Koeman confirmed that the number 10 is physically recovered after the injury suffered at the beginning of the year and stated that the player is fit to start the match between the starters. Despite this, the coach preferred not to confirm the lineup.
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"We talked about tomorrow's lineup with the players, but we can't reveal anything to you. Memphis is doing well, he could even start playing. He's taken steps in his preparation since he arrived," said Koeman.
In addition to updating the striker's physical situation, the Dutch commander also recalled Memphis' decision to transfer to Corinthians. Koeman said that he initially had doubts about the player's adaptation to Brazilian football, especially in relation to the pace of the game, but changed his opinion after closely following the competition.
"When he (Memphis) went to Corinthians, my concern was whether he would have the rhythm of the game. That's why I went to Brazil, I saw a high level championship, with a great atmosphere caused by the fans. The only problem was the injuries he had. But he managed to recover, and the championship is of a high level", he said.
Passage at Corinthians and return to the national team
Memphis arrived at Corinthians in September 2024, after ending his contract with Atlético de Madrid, from Spain. With no transfer costs, the striker signed with the black and white club with the aim of regaining space in the Dutch national team, for which he has not been called up since the 2024 Euro Cup.
At Timão, the player's impact happened quickly. Memphis participated in the team's reaction in the final stretch of the 2024 Brazilian Championship, helping Corinthians move away from the relegation zone and secure a place in the Libertadores.
In November of that year, Ronald Koeman was in Brazil to follow the striker closely. The coach visited the Neo Química Arena during a Corinthians match and also met CT Dr. Joaquim Grava.
The number 10's good performance continued in 2025. Memphis was an important player in the campaign that ended with the Campeonato Paulista title won by Corinthians against Palmeiras, a result that contributed to his return to the Dutch squad.
Since then, the striker has become a frequent presence on Koeman's lists. In the European World Cup Qualifiers, Memphis finished as the Netherlands' top scorer, with eight goals scored and eight assists. During the period, he also became the greatest scorer in the history of the national team, with 55 goals, in addition to reaching the mark of the country's greatest assister, with 36 assists in 109 games.
Injury and recovery before the World Cup
Memphis' presence in the World Cup was in doubt after a muscle injury suffered in March. The problem occurred during the 1-1 draw between Corinthians and Flamengo, in Itaquera, for the Brazilian Championship.
On that occasion, the attacker started the Corinthian goal with a trivela pass to Matheus Bidu, who found Yuri Alberto afterwards. Shortly after the shot, Memphis felt pain and left the field.
After examinations, a grade 2 injury was found in the anterior muscle of his right thigh, which ruled the player out of matches for more than two months.
The return took place on May 25, when he entered the second half of Corinthians' victory over Atlético-MG in the Brasileirão. Later, he also participated in the 2 x 0 defeat to Platense, from Argentina, in the Libertadores.
For the Dutch national team, Memphis returned to action on June 3, in a 1-0 defeat to Algeria. The striker came on in the second half of the match played at the Feyenoord Stadium, in Rotterdam. He then remained on the bench in the 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan and took part in a subsequent training game against the same team.
Corinthians receive compensation during the World Cup
As long as Memphis is with the Dutch team at the World Cup, Corinthians will receive financial compensation for the athlete's loan for the competition.
Through the program aimed at clubs that lend players for the World Cup, Timão will receive five thousand dollars per day, a value that corresponds to approximately R$25 thousand at the current exchange rate.
The Netherlands is in Group F of the World Cup and, after facing Japan, they will face Sweden, on the 20th, at 2pm (Brasília time), in Houston, and Tunisia, on the 25th, at 8pm (Brasília time), in Kansas City.
Renewal with Corinthians
In parallel with the World Cup, Memphis continues negotiating his stay at Corinthians. The striker's current contract ends at the end of July, and the club has already presented a renewal proposal.
The decision is now in the player's hands. Internally, there is positive expectation for the continuity of the relationship, as Memphis has already declared its desire to remain in Parque São Jorge on other occasions.
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Source: Timao Central