Eyeing the Copa, Memphis Depay opens up on fitness | OneFootball

Recovered from injury and called up for the 2026 World Cup, forward Memphis Depay gave an interview to the Dutch newspaper Telegraaf after the Oranje’s training session and spoke openly about his physical condition now that he is back on the pitch. After spending a long period out of action, the star returned to play in the matches against Atlético-MG and Platense last week.

“My instinct tells me that things are going well. I feel good, I’m happy to be with the group. I couldn’t be there (during the March international break), but now I can. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup,” said the No. 10.

Disclosure/Dutch National Team

“I was frustrated. It wasn’t a serious injury, but I was still out for quite a while. The right decisions were not always made during rehabilitation. The athlete suffers because of that. That caused frustration. But I am a fighter. That speeds up the recovery process, but for me, it was never a moment of tension. I knew it wouldn’t be a race against time,” he explained.

“Initially, I was supposed to play 60 to 70 minutes in the second match for Corinthians (against Platense), but it was an Argentine team and they usually kick a lot when they play against Brazilians. So the coach said at halftime: stay on the bench, so you can travel safely to the Netherlands. I hope to play enough in these two matches. In the end, what matters is the final tournament. That’s where I have to prove my worth,” he added.

Netherlands at the World Cup

In Group F of the World Cup, Memphis Depay and the Dutch national team make their debut on June 14 in a match against Japan in Arlington, Texas. After that, the Oranje face Sweden in Houston on June 20 and close out their participation in the group stage against Tunisia on June 25 in Kansas.

Memphis Depay’s spell at Corinthians

Signed in September 2024 after failing to renew with Atlético de Madrid, Memphis Depay quickly became one of Corinthians’ main players. He was crucial in the team’s surge in that year’s Brasileirão, in which the side climbed out of the relegation zone and finished the tournament in the qualification zone for the following year’s Copa Libertadores preliminary stage — seventh place with 56 points.

During the team’s recovery in the tournament, he scored seven goals. Later, he played a decisive role in winning the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively. For Timão, he scored 20 goals and provided 15 assists in 78 matches (61 as a starter). It is worth remembering that the player is under contract with Corinthians until July 20 and, so far, there is no decision regarding his future at Parque São Jorge.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.