Former midfielder comments on Memphis Depay renewal row at Corinthians | OneFootball

Former defensive midfielder Cristian Baroni, who played for Corinthians in two spells (2008-2009 and 2015-2017), gave an interview to Craquito TV and was asked about the uncertainty surrounding forward Memphis Depay’s future at Parque São Jorge. The No. 10 is under contract with Alvinegro only until July 31 and, after competing in the World Cup for the Netherlands, was given vacation time. It is worth remembering that Timão owes the player more than R$40 million in bonuses tied to contractual performance targets.

“It’s very difficult. Only those involved in the process can really give an opinion on this, on whether it’s worth it or not (to renew). I think both sides have to come to an understanding, whatever is good for Corinthians and good for him (Memphis Depay). Of course there are the amounts involved, both sides have to give a little, especially because Corinthians is bigger than all of this. So it’s important for them to reach an agreement. If it doesn’t happen (the renewal), Corinthians goes on, life goes on,” he said.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Wearing the Corinthians shirt, Cristian has totaled 10 goals and 11 assists in 100 matches (79 as a starter), with 63 wins, 25 draws, and 12 losses — a 71.3% success rate. In addition, he won four titles: Brasileirão Série B (2008), Campeonato Paulista (2009), Copa do Brasil (2009), and Campeonato Brasileiro (2015).

According to Meu Timão, the Dutchman is only expected to report back to CT Dr. Joaquim Grava if he agrees to a contract extension with the club. According to the outlet, internally it is understood that there is no point in the player returning to club activities just a few days before his deal with the Parque São Jorge side expires.

Before the end of his contract, Corinthians will officially take the field three more times, all in the Brazilian Championship: on Thursday the 23rd, they host Remo at Neo Química Arena at 7:30 p.m. Three days later, on Sunday, they visit Bahia at Fonte Nova at 4 p.m. Finally, they face Athletico-PR in Itaquera on the 30th at 7:30 p.m. The matches are valid for rounds 19, 20, and 21 of the national competition.

Memphis Depay’s current situation

Corinthians’ No. 10 is having a season below expectations. In 14 matches for Timão in 2026, he has one goal and one assist. Between late March and the end of May, Memphis was sidelined as he recovered from a grade 2 muscle injury suffered in a match against Flamengo in Itaquera in the eighth round of the Brasileirão.

Between the injury diagnosis and the start of the World Cup, Memphis Depay played in only two matches for Corinthians, one coming off the bench (Atlético-MG – Brasileirão) and the other starting (Platense-ARG – Conmebol Libertadores), but he was substituted by Fernando Diniz at halftime. He is under contract with Alvinegro until the end of July, and there is still no decision about his future at Parque São Jorge.

At the 2026 World Cup, representing the Netherlands, he recorded one assist in three matches played — Japan (2-2 — 20 minutes), Sweden (5-1 — 18 minutes played and one assist), and Tunisia (3-1 — 13 minutes played). In the elimination match against Morocco in the second round, the No. 10 did not even come off the bench.

Memphis Depay’s numbers for Corinthians

Signed in September 2024 after not having his contract renewed by Atlético de Madrid of Spain, Memphis Depay arrived at Corinthians and immediately played a key role in the team’s surge in the previous Brazilian Championship edition (from the relegation zone to the Libertadores qualifiers), scoring seven goals and providing one assist in 11 matches in the national tournament.

Last season and at the start of this one, he was decisive in the title wins in the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), tallying two assists in those finals and playing an important role in the earlier knockout rounds. In the Corinthians shirt, he has 20 goals and 15 assists in 79 matches — 40 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses — a 58.23% success rate.

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