Memphis Depay has called out Corinthians for “unacceptable behavior,” claiming the club violated an agreement after opting not to renew his contract.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward joined Corinthians on a two-year contract in 2024. However, he is now a free agent after alleging that the club retracted a previously agreed extension.
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Depay stated on social media, “This renewal was explicitly agreed upon by the president, as well as the sporting, legal, and financial departments. However, some individuals chose to disregard this commitment.”
“I didn’t want to end up in this situation and have consistently shown respect for the club throughout this process. Nevertheless, I must take a strong stance to protect my interests.”
“I will address this matter publicly in the coming days, and I assure you that I will not let this unacceptable behavior go unchallenged.”
During his tenure at Corinthians, Depay netted 20 goals in 79 matches and played a pivotal role in winning the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year.
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Corinthians, who are currently in seventh place in Brazil’s Serie A, explained that their decision to not extend the 32-year-old’s contract was driven by financial considerations.
They stated, “It has become clear that committing to a new contract of this size is not compatible with the financial stability we need to maintain for the sustainability of the institution.”
“We acknowledge that this was a tough decision, but it was undeniably crucial for the future of Corinthians.”
In the coming days, club president Osmar Stabile is scheduled to hold a press conference to further discuss this decision.
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As the all-time leading goal scorer for the Netherlands, Depay did not score in three appearances during his side’s exit from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 32.