By Martin Graham
In the closing moments of the Paulista A1 final, Memphis Depay paused with both feet on the ball as Corinthians edged towards victory over Palmeiras. That brief show of skill triggered a furious melee, ending with one player from each team dismissed.
Brazil’s football authorities were unimpressed, labeling the action a provocation that “disrespects the game” and is cautionable. Depay and Neymar pushed back, with the Dutch attacker explaining that he came to Brazil to experience jogo bonito and the freedom of expression he admired in South American football. Neymar added that the sport was becoming increasingly dull.
Depay, now 31, has built an identity that goes far beyond the pitch. Recognizable by his sweatband and the lion tattoo across his back, he has forged his path through music, philanthropy, and bold career choices.
A career rebuilt and records broken
After early acclaim at PSV Eindhoven and a turbulent spell at Manchester United, Depay revived his career through a methodical approach. He embraced data analysis to find a club that suited his style, eventually joining Lyon after consulting with the Dutch firm SciSports. Their report led him to reject options in England, Italy, Spain, and Turkey in favor of France.
His time in Lyon saw him flourish on and off the field. Over four and a half seasons, he netted 76 goals in 178 appearances and grew into a more open, expressive figure, while launching a foundation to assist deaf and blind children worldwide.
Barcelona came calling in 2021 when Ronald Koeman, who had coached him with the national team, signed him. He produced 12 league goals in his first campaign but did not fully establish himself over three years in Spain. In September last year, he made a surprising switch to Corinthians.
Cult hero status in São Paulo
Depay’s arrival in Brazil reversed the usual migration of talent, earning him a unique place in local football culture. His impact was immediate: seven goals in 11 matches propelled Corinthians from near the bottom to seventh place and into the Copa Libertadores, followed by a state title that ended a six-year drought.
Financial disputes surfaced regarding bonuses in his high-value deal, which the club agreed to pay in installments. Local reporter Bruno Cassucci explained that while supporters embraced him, debates continued over his cost amid the club’s economic struggles.
Off the pitch, his personality has resonated strongly. He described Brazil as the “mecca of football” and expressed admiration for the country’s energy. He immersed himself in the local scene, recording an album with MC Hariel called Falando com as Favelas, including a song dedicated to Corinthians fans. He also visited disadvantaged communities near São Paulo, saying that even brief conversations could inspire change.
The national team’s talisman
Depay’s international story began at the 2014 World Cup, when he scored twice as the Netherlands finished third. After staying in Eindhoven to win the domestic title, he joined Manchester United at 21 under Louis van Gaal.
Wayne Rooney, his former teammate, remembered him as talented and hard-working, though sometimes ostentatious. His time in England yielded seven goals and five assists in 53 matches before a move became necessary under José Mourinho’s management.
His national career, however, has been defined by consistency. Under Van Gaal and Koeman, he has become the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 52 goals, surpassing Robin van Persie and sitting ten ahead of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Thirty-seven of those strikes came during the tenures of Koeman and Van Gaal.
Designer Arsenio Lopez found inspiration in Depay’s lion tattoo and charisma when creating the Netherlands’ 2022 World Cup kit. On the field, Depay scored in the last-16 win over the USA in Qatar. At Euro 2024, he started every match before injury forced him off during a painful semi-final defeat to England.
Legacy shaped by individuality
Depay’s journey has been unconventional. He has navigated European powerhouses, embraced analytical thinking to redirect his trajectory, broken scoring records for his country, and immersed himself in Brazilian football culture.
Koeman summed up their enduring relationship by describing a bond “a little stronger and bigger” than usual. Even as he may begin the next qualifier against Malta on the bench—his arrival delayed due to a stolen passport—his place in Dutch football history is secure.
