Memphis Depay declares war on Corinthians as they make him unemployed

Memphis Depay has slammed Corinthians for ‘unacceptable’ behaviour after they failed to renew his contract.

The Brazilian giants have chosen not to keep the former Manchester United forward at the club despite appearing to promise they would do so.

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In a statement, Corinthians confirmed he was being released.

They stated that it was for financial reasons.

However, Depay has claimed that he had agreed a two-year extension verbally, only for it to be snatched away.

In a statement on X, he said: “Very disappointed to read that Corinthians decided not to honour our agreement in place to extend my contract for 2 more years.

“This renewal was explicitly agreed upon by the president as well as the sporting, legal and financial department.

“Some people decided however to breach this engagement… I didn’t want this situation and always respected the club throughout the process, but now I am forced to react strongly in order to preserve my interests.

“In the upcoming days I will speak publicly but rest assured that I will not leave this unacceptable behaviour unsanctioned.”

Messy situation

Depay’s public response followed a statement from Corinthians in which they confirmed that Depay would be leaving the club.

They said: “Sport Club Corinthians Paulista has decided not to renew the contract of athlete Memphis Depay.

“This decision was taken solely and exclusively in consideration of the financial health of our institution, which demands rigorous balance and responsibility in the management of available resources.

“We would like to express our deep gratitude to player Memphis Depay and his entire team, who from the start of negotiations sought the best possible agreement.

“To the athlete in particular, the Club is eternally grateful for the dedication and the results achieved throughout his journey with us, which include 79 matches played, 20 goals scored and, above all, the conquest of three important titles: the Paulistao and the Copa do Brasil, in 2025; and the Supercopa Rei, in 2026.

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“These achievements will certainly remain as a fundamental part of Corinthians’ history.

“We understand that the process extended beyond the traditional deadline, but this is mainly due to the fact that we are dealing with a differentiated athlete.

“The Board also recognises and values the tireless efforts of all the institution’s departments that worked to make the athlete’s stay feasible.

“However, after careful analysis, exclusively financial reasons and the commitment to responsible management of the Club prevailed.

“Given Corinthians’ current and future financial obligations, it became clear that taking on a new commitment of this magnitude would not be compatible, at this moment, with the financial balance we need to preserve to ensure the institution’s sustainability.

“We recognise that this was a difficult decision, but undoubtedly necessary for the future of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.

“To clarify any doubts and discuss this matter in greater detail, the Club will organise a press conference in the coming days, during which president Osmar Stabile will be available to provide all necessary clarifications.

“We thank everyone for their understanding and will continue working so that Corinthians remains strong, solid, and victorious.”

Depay’s time at Corinthians

The 32-year-old joined the Brazilian giants after being released by Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024.

He wasn’t picked up by a European team, so Corinthians offered him a two-year deal in September of that year.

It has been a successful spell in Depay’s career, with the Dutchman claiming three trophies while in Brazil.

His arrival to the club saw Corinthians embark on an incredible winning run as they put together nine consecutive victories to end the season.

Depay scored seven times in just 11 appearances to propel Corinthians into the new season.

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The following year, Depay was hit with injury and didn’t manage too many league appearances as Corinthians finished tenth.

However, he scored in the final of Copa do Brasil as Corinthians beat Vasco da Gama to claim the trophy.

Last year, injuries really hit Depay, so he barely played at all, making just eight league appearances.

However, he is now fit and was expecting to remain with the Brazilian giants.