Memphis Depay Determined for World Cup Despite Brazil Move
Netherlands international Memphis Depay has reaffirmed his commitment to the national team, despite his move to Brazilian club Corinthians and recent comments from national team manager Ronald Koeman. The 30-year-old forward, who has been a mainstay for the Oranje, has faced questions about his physical condition and international future since his high-profile transfer to the Brazilian Serie A in September 2024.
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport, Depay directly addressed the speculation. "I have not finished my adventure with the national team," the forward stated. He further emphasized his ambition, adding, "I just want to win a title with Oranje." His comments come after Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, ahead of a recent squad announcement, pointedly noted the importance of players' physical condition, a remark widely interpreted as a reference to Depay's move to the Brazilian league.
Depay has been a prolific performer for the Netherlands, holding the all-time scoring record for his country. He played a pivotal role in their successful World Cup 2026 qualification campaign. "I scored 23 goals in 23 matches in the World Cup qualifiers," Depay reminded his critics. "Of course, we face weaker teams, but someone has to score the goals, right?" His record stands at 46 goals in 94 appearances for the Oranje.
Since joining Corinthians, Depay has found immediate success, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. He scored in the final to help his new club win the Brazilian Cup in December. Despite the move to a league often considered less competitive than Europe's top flights, Depay insists his form and fitness are not in question. He has faced criticism throughout his career, a fact he acknowledges with a degree of weariness. "The criticism I often receive doesn't bother me that much, because I can't prevent it. I've been dealing with it for a long time. I already had critics when I was 16," he told Ziggo Sport. He also noted the cultural difference in perception, adding, "Brazilians don't understand why people speak badly of me in the Netherlands."
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America on the horizon, Depay's primary focus is securing his place in the Dutch squad for a third consecutive World Cup tournament. His move to Corinthians, while a surprise to some, has not diminished his output. The forward's determination to add a major international trophy to his cabinet remains the driving force as he continues his career in South America, with his sights firmly set on leading the Netherlands in 2026.
