Out of favour at Corinthians, Memphis misses Dutch post-World Cup squad | OneFootball

Memphis Depay will not be with the Dutch National Team during the next FIFA international break. This Friday (18), the Corinthians forward was left out of the Netherlands squad for the team’s first matches after the 2026 World Cup.

The call-up also marks the beginning of a new cycle for the national team. Xavi Hernández took charge of the Netherlands after Ronald Koeman’s departure and, in his first squad list, chose not to call up Corinthians’ number 10. Among the options for the attacking sector are names such as Cody Gakpo, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, Brian Brobbey, and Ruben van Bommel.

Photo: Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images

The absence comes at a time when Memphis is trying to regain his best physical and technical level at Corinthians. After spending part of the season with the World Cup as one of his main goals, the Dutchman returned to the club after the tournament and needed a period of preparation before getting back on the pitch.

Memphis tries to regain rhythm at Corinthians

The forward played three matches for the Netherlands at the World Cup, all as a substitute. His direct goal contribution came in the 5-1 win over Sweden, when he provided an assist for Crysencio Summerville. The Dutch campaign ended against Morocco in the first knockout round.

After the tournament, Memphis went on vacation while his future at Corinthians was still being discussed. After his stay at Parque São Jorge was confirmed, the forward returned to action on August 20 against Rosario Central-ARG in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16.

On that occasion, even without starting the match, he played an important role in the qualification. It was Memphis who took the free kick that ended in Breno Bidon’s goal, securing the 1-0 win at Neo Química Arena and a place in the quarterfinals.

Since then, however, the number 10 is still trying to regain consistency. The most delicate moment came last Wednesday (16), again in Itaquera, in the Libertadores elimination against Estudiantes-ARG.

With Corinthians trailing 1-0 and the aggregate score at 2-1 for the Argentinians, Timão were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time. Memphis took the kick, but sent it over the bar. Had he converted it, the battle for a semifinal spot would have gone to a penalty shootout.

Absence changes plans during the FIFA international break

Without being called up by Xavi Hernández, Memphis will remain available to Fernando Diniz during the next FIFA international break. The period becomes important for the forward precisely because of the need to regain rhythm after a second half of the season marked by the delay in returning to the pitch and Corinthians’ recent run of negative results.

The Netherlands, in turn, will have Nations League commitments during this international window. The European national team will face Germany, Serbia, in two matches, and Greece.

Before the break, Memphis could still take the field for Corinthians. Alvinegro host Fluminense this Sunday (20), at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, for the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship.

The match also represents an opportunity for Timão to react. Eliminated from both the Copa do Brasil and the Libertadores, Corinthians now have only the Brasileirão left in the final stretch of 2026. The team has 32 points from 27 matches and is trying to end a run of five consecutive defeats in the national competition.

For Memphis, beyond the search for a comeback in the black-and-white shirt, the coming months also mark the beginning of an attempt to win back his place in the Dutch National Team, now under a new head coach.

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