Dutch forward Memphis Depay has shed light on his decision to join Brazilian club Corinthians, citing the cultural similarities between Brazil and Ghana as a key factor. The 30-year-old signed a two-year contract with the São Paulo-based team in September, following a stint with Atletico Madrid.
Depay, who is well-known for his philanthropic work and frequent visits to Ghana, described Brazil as a place that resonates deeply with him. Speaking in an interview with Flashscore, he highlighted the connection:
“The people in Brazil are like Ghana, very enthusiastic, energized people. The country is beautiful and they have good food. The training facility is amazing.”
He also shared his admiration for Brazil’s footballing legacy, calling it “the Mecca of football” and expressing a desire to witness its talent-rich environment firsthand. “All the talents are coming from there, so I wanted to see that, and they convinced me,” Depay added.
When he joined Corinthians, the team was battling relegation in 17th place. However, the Dutchman viewed this as an exciting challenge. “I felt like I needed to do something different. I like a challenge. I didn’t know anything about the league,” he explained.
Depay emphasized the size and significance of Corinthians in Brazil. “Corinthians is a huge team, the biggest. So far it’s going really well, and I’m happy. I feel like I’m home.”
Despite speculation about retirement, Depay was quick to dismiss such talk. “I’m 30. What are you talking about retiring? It’s a long way. I’m young. I’ve been in the game a long time but I have a long time left, God willing,” he affirmed.
The forward’s arrival has been transformative for Corinthians. His impressive tally of seven goals and one assist in 11 matches helped propel the team from relegation danger to seventh place, securing a spot in the Copa Libertadores qualifiers.
