Who is Memphis Depay?

Memphis Depay is one of those players who divides opinion — but also one of the few who can truly light up a pitch with a single touch. For more than a decade, he’s been the maverick in Oranje’s attack: confident, unpredictable, and gloriously himself.

To some, he’s the street footballer who never quite became the global superstar he promised to be at PSV. To others, he’s the beating heart of the Dutch national team — a player who carried Oranje through its most difficult years after the 2014 World Cup, scoring crucial goals when few others did.

Either way, you can’t talk about modern Dutch football without mentioning Memphis.

From Moordrecht to Manchester

Born in 1994 in Moordrecht, a small town near Rotterdam, Memphis had a tough start. His Ghanaian father left the family early, and his Dutch mother raised him alone. Football quickly became his refuge — a way to channel that mix of pain, pride, and ambition.

He joined Sparta Rotterdam’s youth academy before being picked up by PSV Eindhoven, where he exploded onto the scene. Under Phillip Cocu, Memphis turned into one of the Eredivisie’s most electrifying players. In 2014–15, he scored 22 goals in 30 games, helping PSV reclaim the league title.

He wasn’t just a scorer — he performed. The free kicks, the swagger, the celebrations. He had that rare aura, a confidence that reminded fans of Cristiano Ronaldo or a young Zlatan. Everyone in the Netherlands could feel it: Memphis was destined for something big.

The Manchester Misstep

That “something big” came quickly. In 2015, Louis van Gaal brought him to Manchester United for €34 million. Dutch fans were excited — the young star teaming up again with his national coach.

But the Premier League can be cruel. Memphis arrived with high expectations and a famous No.7 shirt — once worn by Cantona, Beckham, Ronaldo — and the spotlight burned too bright. The dribbles that dazzled in Eindhoven didn’t come off against English defenders. The body language, the tattoos, the flashiness — it all became ammunition for critics.

Van Gaal defended him, but confidence is fragile. By the time José Mourinho replaced Van Gaal, Memphis was on the bench. Just like that, the dream move had turned into a cautionary tale.

Reinvention in Lyon

The true measure of a player, though, is how he responds to setbacks. And in Lyon, Memphis rebuilt himself.

In France, he found freedom — tactically and personally. Playing as a false nine or second striker, he learned to combine flair with responsibility. He became Lyon’s captain, their leader, their heartbeat.

Over five seasons, he scored more than 70 goals and created countless others. Ligue 1 defenders couldn’t predict his next move — he’d cut inside, chip the keeper, or deliver a no-look pass. More importantly, he matured. He started talking openly about his faith, his motivations, his music.

The kid from Moordrecht had grown into a man who knew who he was — and didn’t need approval from anyone.

The Oranje Leader

While his club career had ups and downs, Memphis’ role for Oranje only grew stronger.

After the retirements of Robben, Sneijder, and Van Persie, the Netherlands went through a transitional phase. New coaches, new systems, new faces. But Memphis was always there — scoring, assisting, leading.

Whether under Koeman, De Boer, or Van Gaal (again), he’s been the focal point. His partnership with Gini Wijnaldum became the core of the attack. In the Nations League, in World Cup qualifiers, in Euro campaigns — Memphis delivered.

By 2025, he’s among the top scorers in the history of the Dutch national team — right up there with the legends. And unlike many pure strikers, he creates as much as he scores. He’s an all-around forward, part artist, part warrior.

Barcelona and Beyond

When Memphis signed for Barcelona in 2021, it felt poetic. Ronald Koeman — the man who believed in him for Oranje — wanted him to lead a rebuilding Barça.

He started brightly, scoring and smiling again, but as Xavi’s new generation rose, Memphis drifted out of the lineup. Still, he left his mark — professionalism, experience, and a few trademark screamers.

Later spells at Atlético Madrid and beyond may not have reached the same heights, but Memphis never lost his spark. You sense he’ll always find a way to stay relevant — whether through football, music, or the stories he tells.

Memphis at Corinthians

When Memphis Depay arrived at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in late 2024, it was one of the most surprising — and talked-about — transfers in South American football in years.

He chose Brazil’s most passionate footballing stage to continue his journey, signing a contract that runs through mid-2026 and immediately igniting excitement among the Fiel torcida.

Corinthians were struggling badly, but once Memphis arrived the results began to turn around. In the end, the club avoided relegation, and Memphis quickly became one of Brazil’s newest stars.

On the pitch, Memphis has been a key creative force in Corinthians’ attack. Known for his flair and unpredictability, he has contributed regularly with both goals and assists — finding the net and setting up teammates throughout the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

Across more than 50 appearances for Timão, he has been involved in a significant number of decisive plays, helping the club secure important results and even a Campeonato Paulista title in 2025. 

Does Memphis has a partner?

As of the latest available information, Memphis Depay is currently single — he does not have a confirmed long-term partner or girlfriend right now.

A Brazilian influencer – Lary Simões- in 2025 has claimed she is pregnant with Memphis Depay’s child and says the Corinthians striker has since withdrawn and stopped responding to her messages.

The Enigma and the Example

Memphis Depay is not a conventional Dutch player. He doesn’t fit the tidy, disciplined mold. He’s expressive, emotional, unpredictable. But that’s exactly why he’s loved.

He embodies a different kind of Oranje energy — one that blends street culture, faith, and artistry with pure football instinct. He can frustrate you with a missed flick one minute and stun you with a 25-yard curler the next.

He raps. He writes. He reflects. He plays with soul.

And when the Dutch anthem plays, you can see it — this is a man who carries his past and his people with him every time he steps on the pitch.

What He Means to Dutch Football

Memphis Depay is currently the all-time top scorer for Oranje, a milestone that cements his place among the greatest in Dutch football history.

Season after season, he delivered the crucial goals — in qualifiers, Nations League matches, and major tournaments — often when the team needed him most. More than just a finisher, Memphis carried the attack through a new generation, combining creativity with leadership.

His rise to the top of the scoring charts is a testament to his resilience, his talent, and his undeniable importance to the Netherlands.