Memphis Depay faces race against time for World Cup after fresh injury

Memphis Depay has suffered a setback in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup. The Dutch forward’s rehabilitation has been pushed back by two weeks after an error by Corinthians’ medical team, according to Brazilian outlets such as O Globo.

During his recovery, Depay took on a gym exercise prematurely. This misstep caused the 32-year-old ex-PSV forward to reinjure his right thigh in the closing stage of his rehabilitation.

After picking up an injury on March 22 against Flamengo, Depay was sidelined for the Netherlands’ friendlies with Norway and Ecuador. Although he briefly joined the squad, head coach Ronald Koeman made it clear in a one-on-one talk that only peak fitness will allow him to contribute to the team at the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Last Saturday, Memphis took to social media to vent his frustration, suggesting that “a few errors” were behind his absence from the derby with Palmeiras. In his post, he added: “It hurts, and it’s frustrating… yet it’s the players who take the blame. Not right.”

When he left the pitch during the game against Flamengo, attention was drawn to Memphis using his phone on the bench. He later explained that he had been consulting the medical team in the Netherlands in real time about his injury.

Koeman emphasized that Memphis “needs to have played matches” in order to be included. He referred to the UEFA European Championship 2024, where the fitness of some players was also an issue, and indicated that he does not want to make that mistake again.

The Dutch side will open their group stage on June 14 with a match against Japan at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Tunisia and Sweden complete the rest of Group F.

Corinthians are struggling in the Brazilian Série A, sitting in 16th place and only narrowly avoiding the drop zone. So far this season, Depay has contributed 1 goal and 1 assist across 11 appearances.