Memphis Depay’s V celebration honours young Corinthians fan Valentina | OneFootball

Memphis Depay ended a 10-game drought by scoring in Corinthians’ 1-1 draw at Santos on Sunday at Vila Belmiro. He marked it with a V hand sign dedicated to Valentina, a five-year-old fan undergoing leukaemia treatment supported by Tucca/Santa Marcelina Saúde.

According to Meu Timao, Valentina visited the Dr Joaquim Grava training centre the day before, meeting the squad and sharing celebration ideas. She showed Depay the gesture ahead of the sixth-round fixture in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

A devoted Corinthians supporter who dreams of becoming a footballer, Valentina is in the final stage of chemotherapy. She impressed players by knowing various routines, including Jesse Lingard’s, with the midfielder yet to debut while bureaucratic matters are resolved.

She also mimicked Rodrigo Garro’s celebration during the visit. On meeting Depay, she sprinted into his arms.

Depay should travel with the squad to face Chapecoense on Thursday at 21:30 in Santa Catarina. He is not certain to start, with staff considering rest for some players before Flamengo on Sunday, leaving only three days to prepare.

Tucca, the Association for Children and Adolescents with Cancer, is a non-profit that provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care for low-income youngsters, and helps families prepare for life after treatment.

Source: Meu Timao