Depay says Corinthians 'unacceptable' as contract ends

Memphis Depay has lashed out at Corinthians, alleging the club's actions as "unacceptable" and a breach of contract following their refusal to renew his deal. The once high-profile players from Manchester United and Barcelona signed a two-year agreement with Corinthians in 2024, but are now beyond their initial term after the club allegedly backed out of an extension that both the president and various departments had previously approved.

Depay expressed his disappointment on social media, stating he had respected the club throughout the process but now feels compelled to act strongly to protect his interests. He promised to speak publicly in the coming days about the "unacceptable" behavior and vowed not to leave the matter unchecked. Over his tenure at Corinthians, the 32-year-old forward netted 20 goals in 79 appearances, including a crucial role in winning the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year.

Unfortunately for Corinthians, currently sitting seventh in Brazil's Serie A, the club cited financial constraints as the reason for not extending Depay's contract. In a statement, the Sao Paulo-based team acknowledged the tough decision, but emphasized it was necessary to maintain the institution's sustainability. Depay, the Netherlands' top scorer all-time, did not manage to find the back of the net in his last three appearances as Corinthians were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup at the round of 32 stage.