Dutch striker Memphis Depay has made a surprising move to Corinthians, one of Brazil’s most storied football clubs, and he anticipates that other European players will soon follow suit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 30-year-old forward held his first press conference at the NeoQuimica Arena on Thursday, expressing his excitement about joining the Brazilian league. Though he didn’t delve into the specifics behind his decision to move to South America, Depay emphasized the allure of Brazilian football culture.
“This is bigger than football,” Depay remarked. “A lot of stars come from Brazil, big football players. It is the mecca of football. Kids in Europe look up to Brazil and the way you play and embrace life.”
Depay was introduced to a roaring crowd of Corinthians fans on Wednesday evening before his new team’s 3-1 victory over Juventude in the Brazilian Cup, securing their place in the semifinals with a 4-3 aggregate score.
Historically, few European players have ventured into Brazilian clubs. Notable exceptions include Clarence Seedorf’s stint at Botafogo, Serbian Dejan Petkovic’s celebrated run with multiple clubs including Flamengo, and Frenchman Dimitri Payet’s current tenure at Vasco da Gama. Depay’s arrival could signify a new era of cross-continental exchange.
“It is a great moment to bridge that gap to the other side of the world,” Depay stated. “We always come to take the Brazilian talents to Europe because they have something special. This league needs a light from the other side.”
FIFA records indicate that approximately 1,000 Brazilian footballers leave the country annually, many heading to European leagues. Depay’s move challenges this one-way flow, suggesting that the Brazilian league has untapped potential that deserves global attention.
Having not played since the European Championship in July, where the Netherlands were knocked out by England in the semifinals, Depay is eager to regain his form. “I need to have my rhythm back,” he said when asked about his ambitions with the Dutch national team. “Coach Ronald Koeman will investigate this league and find out it is a competitive one.”
Depay revealed that he sought advice from Brazilian stars Neymar and Vinícius Júnior, as well as his Brazilian personal chef, before making his decision. “On the other side of the world they don’t know all this (in Brazil), they just follow European clubs,” he explained. “It is time that they see. Brazilians have something special, I think the league will shine to the other side of the world. It is time to show its potential, I think it will happen in the next few years.”
As Depay embarks on this new chapter with Corinthians, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if his prediction of a European influx to Brazilian football comes to fruition.
Reference(s):
Depay says European players will follow him to Brazilian football
cgtn.com
