Memphis Depay

In August 2026, Corinthians initially decided against extending Memphis's contract for financial reasons. The player accused the club of breaching commitments, and his representatives considered legal action potentially involving substantial sums. Days later, the parties renegotiated and signed an extension until 2028 with a revised package.

State of the evidence

Announced breakdown, threat of legal action and final agreement documented

Legal status — source text

Threatened litigation followed by renegotiation; contract ultimately extended until July 2028

Three days after his contract extension, Memphis released a music video featuring stylised images of Parque São Jorge in flames and lyrics interpreted as an attack on the vice-presidency or internal politics. Corinthians fined him for using these images and for the impact of the message.

State of the evidence

Music video, club response, fine and Memphis's defence documented

Legal status — source text

Internal financial sanction imposed by the club; no criminal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated

Memphis Depay was stopped in Monaco after driving a Rolls-Royce with a very high blood alcohol level. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, suspended, and fined €9,000.

State of the evidence

Acknowledged facts and conviction documented

Legal status — source text

Convicted in Monaco in February 2025 and sentenced to four months' imprisonment, suspended, and a €9,000 fine

Attribution

Directly implicated

At Corinthians, the transfer of the number 10 shirt from Rodrigo Garro to Memphis prompted an internal controversy when Garro said that he had been unhappy to give up the number. Memphis replied that the allocation of number 10 had been contractually agreed before he arrived.

State of the evidence

Public disagreement documented

Attribution

Direct involvement in the contractually agreed change of shirt number

In the track 'São Paulo Freestyle', Memphis directly targeted commentator and former Corinthians star Neto, with whom he already had a strained relationship. Neto responded angrily on air, turning the episode into a public feud.

State of the evidence

Lyrics and public responses documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

While Corinthians owed him salary and bonus payments, Memphis failed to attend a training session in July 2025 without prior justification. The club publicly described his conduct as unacceptable and sanctioned him following his return.

State of the evidence

Late payments, absence and internal sanction documented

Legal status — source text

Internal disciplinary sanction; no judicial proceedings identified at this stage

Attribution

Direct responsibility for the absence; contractual context shared with the club

Following the Copa do Brasil title in December 2025, Memphis sharply criticised power struggles within Corinthians, delivering a hostile message about the club's internal politics and declaring that anyone seeking to harm the club should leave. He also condemned leaks of contractual information.

State of the evidence

Public statements documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Memphis continued publicly expressing his friendship with and personal support for Quincy Promes after the latter's convictions. Ronald Koeman described the communication as unwise, and the KNVB discussed the matter with the player.

State of the evidence

Public expressions of support and reactions from football officials documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Memphis Depay was criticised after posing and filming with a young exotic cat in Dubai. A Bellingcat visual investigation linked the animal to accounts associated with the private and controversial exotic animal trade in the emirate.

State of the evidence

Public images and visual investigation documented; knowing participation in illegal trafficking not established

Legal status — source text

No personal proceedings identified