When Atletico Madrid decided to part ways with Dutch international Depay in the 2024 summer, it took him some weeks to decide his next move. Many t
When Atletico Madrid decided to part ways with Dutch international Depay in the 2024 summer, it took him some weeks to decide his next move.
Many thought it was another European stint after playing for PSV, Manchester United, Olympique Lyon, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the last decade. Others were thinking he would join the Saudi PRO League, as it has become the new norm for some of the top players in Europe in recent transfer windows.
Memphis Depay, 30, departed Europe and crossed the Atlantic Ocean for a new challenge. Brazil was his destination as the hierarchy of Corinthians was able to woo him for the next chapter in his career. The Dutch forward accepted a deal and signed for the Brazilians.
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, the half Ghanaian compared his fatherland, Ghana to Brazil.
“The people in Brazil are like Ghanaians, very enthusiastic, energized people. The country is beautiful and they have good food. The training facility is amazing”. The former Manchester United attacker thinks Brazilians and Ghanaians have the same energy, and both country’s food tastes so good.
“I just knew that Brazil is like the Mecca of football. All the talents are coming from there, so I wanted to see that, and they convinced me”, he added. Brazil is undoubtedly the Mecca of football as they have all the elements. The Brazilian Serie A has won the last five Copa Libertadores with clubs like Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense and Botafogo conquering the continent.
Players have made the long trip from Europe and are enjoying their stay in the South American nation.
Veterans like Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Lucas Moura, Coutinho, Dimitry Payet, Yannick Bolasie, Alex Telles, Hulk, Martin Braithwaite and Raphael Borre are all plying their trades in the league making it so attractive.
“For my decision (to join Corinthians), I felt like I needed to do something different. I like a challenge. I didn’t know anything about the league”, Depay continued.
“Corinthians is a huge team in Brazil, the biggest. So far, it’s going well, and I’m happy. I feel like I’m home”, he said. Brazil has so many humongous teams and unquestionably, Corinthians is one of them. With an estimated 30 million fan base, the second most supported Brazilian club is the biggest in Depay’s opinion.
“I’m 30. Why are you talking about retiring? It’s a long way. I’m young. I’ve been in the game a long time, but I have a long time left, God willing,” he concluded.
Talks of retirement for Depay have been in the news since he signed for Corinthians, but he quickly denied it.
Memphis Depay’s Corinthians secured a ticket to the 2025 Copa Libertadores after finishing 7th in the Serie A Betano.
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