Memphis Depay

1.1. Childhood and Family Background

Memphis Depay was born on February 13, 1994, in Moordrecht, a small village in South Holland, Netherlands. His father, Dennis Depay, is Ghanaian, and his mother, Cora Schensema, is Dutch. Their relationship deteriorated early, and when Memphis was four years old, his father left the family. This abandonment had a profound impact on Memphis, leading him to decide to drop his last name, "Depay," to sever ties with his father. He has stated, "Do not call me Depay, call me Memphis." His upbringing was primarily by his mother. His father, Dennis, has denied abandoning him and expressed a desire to reconcile their relationship.

1.2. Youth Football Career

Memphis began playing football at the age of five and joined his first club, SALABA FC, at seven, before moving to VV Moordrecht. By the age of eight, his talent had already caught the attention of scouts from Sparta Rotterdam, who recruited him after three seasons. Ton Redegeld, the chairman of VV Moordrecht, described Memphis as a "complete" young player, noting his two-footed ability and strength, often scoring five goals and assisting two in a 7-0 victory.

When he was 12, larger clubs such as Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord showed interest in him. Despite his grandfather being an Ajax fan, he advised Memphis to join PSV Eindhoven. He transferred to PSV's youth academy in 2006, where he continued his development. Early in his career, a PSV coach observed him as "very angry," indicating the psychological challenges he faced, possibly due to his family background. He was also reportedly advised by his youth manager, Fred Rutten, to choose between music and football during his early career. Memphis once expressed a childhood dream of playing for Persipura Jayapura and ending his career there.

2.1. PSV Eindhoven

Memphis was on trial for PSV's first team in 2011 while playing for Jong PSV, the club's reserve team. He made his official debut on September 21, 2011, in a KNVB Cup second-round match against amateur side VVSB, scoring his first official goal in an 8-0 away win. His Eredivisie debut came on February 26, 2012, in a 3-2 victory over Feyenoord at the Philips Stadion, where he came on as a substitute. On March 18, he scored his first league goal, six minutes after coming on as a substitute, in a 5-1 win against SC Heerenveen. He made a total of eight league appearances in his first season, all as a substitute, scoring three goals.

On April 8, 2012, Memphis featured in the 2012 KNVB Cup Final, playing the final four minutes of the 3-0 win over Heracles Almelo under interim coach Phillip Cocu. The day after the final, he was officially promoted to the first team. On June 29, he signed his first professional contract with PSV, committing to the club until 2017. He also played in the 2012 Johan Cruyff Shield on August 5, as PSV defeated Ajax 4-2. In his second season, he made 20 Eredivisie appearances, scoring twice, including two starts. On March 2, 2013, he scored three minutes into his first start in a 2-0 home win over VVV-Venlo. PSV reached the KNVB Cup final again that season but lost 1-2 to AZ Alkmaar, with Memphis playing only five minutes.

The 2013-14 season marked Memphis's breakthrough. On July 30, 2013, he scored his first goal in UEFA competition against S.V. Zulte Waregem in a Champions League third qualifying round tie, contributing to a 2-0 win. Although PSV did not qualify for the Champions League group stage after losing to Milan, Memphis scored again in the Europa League on October 3 against FC Chornomorets Odesa. On October 27, he received his first professional career red card against Roda JC. On December 15, he scored twice in a 5-1 win over Utrecht, helping PSV to only their second win in 13 matches. He continued to perform even after suffering a bruised eye socket in a challenge with Renato Ibarra of Vitesse on March 15, 2014, playing the next match against Roda JC with a protective mask. PSV secured a fourth-place finish in the 2013-14 Eredivisie and qualified for European competition for the 41st consecutive year, with Memphis scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win against NAC Breda.

After a successful showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Memphis was linked to various clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the speculation, he started the 2014-15 season impressively. He scored one goal and assisted another in a UEFA Europa League qualifying match against SKN St. Pölten on August 7, helping PSV advance. In the opening Eredivisie game three days later, he scored two goals in a 3-1 away win against Willem II. He followed this with two free-kick goals and an assist in a 6-1 home win against Breda. On August 28, he scored two late goals in the Europa League play-off second leg against FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk, securing PSV's place in the group stage. He suffered a groin injury in September during a 1-3 defeat at PEC Zwolle.

On April 18, 2015, Memphis scored from a 35-yard free-kick in a 4-1 home win over Heerenveen, clinching PSV's 22nd Eredivisie title, their first since 2008. Later that month, PSV confirmed interest from other clubs, including Manchester United. He scored his last home goal for PSV in a 2-0 win against Heracles on May 10, receiving a standing ovation and congratulations from teammates. He finished the season as the league's top scorer with 22 goals, two ahead of teammate Luuk de Jong.

2.2. Manchester United

On May 7, 2015, PSV confirmed an agreement with Manchester United for Memphis's transfer, pending a medical. United manager Louis van Gaal stated he was "forced" to sign him early due to interest from Paris Saint-Germain. Although Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers denied pursuing Memphis, PSV director Marcel Brands confirmed conversations with Liverpool regarding a potential transfer. On June 12, United confirmed Memphis's signing for a reported fee of 25.00 M GBP on a four-year contract with an option for an additional year. He was unveiled at a press conference on July 10, becoming the fourth player to join United from PSV, following Jaap Stam, Park Ji-sung, and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Memphis debuted in a pre-season friendly against Club América in Seattle on July 17. He scored his first goal for the club four days later in a 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. At his own request, after the departure of Ángel Di María, Memphis was given the iconic number 7 shirt, previously worn by legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

His Premier League debut came on August 8, a 1-0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Van Gaal noted Memphis's overly eager play. On August 18, Memphis scored his first two goals for Manchester United and assisted Marouane Fellaini's goal in a 3-1 home victory over Club Brugge KV in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs. In the second leg, he assisted Wayne Rooney's first goal. On September 15, he scored in the first game of the Champions League group stage, in an eventual 2-1 loss against his former team, PSV. His first league goal came on September 26, opening a 3-0 home win over Sunderland, which put United atop the league for the first time in 110 weeks.

Following early struggles in the Premier League, Memphis commented to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf about the heavy schedule and recovery demands. However, assistant manager Ryan Giggs dismissed these claims, attributing Memphis's poor form to his flashy lifestyle. Memphis was subsequently benched in four consecutive matches, alongside Daley Blind, after the Netherlands failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2016. Despite his struggles, he was named in the 59-man longlist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or. His first start as a second striker came due to the unavailability of Anthony Martial and Rooney, where he scored his second league goal in a 2-1 away win over Watford, earning praise from Van Gaal and his first Premier League Man of the Match honor.

In February, Memphis scored in both of United's Europa League matches against FC Midtjylland, contributing to a 6-3 aggregate victory. His performance in the home leg, where he scored, set up a goal, earned two penalties, and delivered a cross leading to an own goal, was highly praised by Van Gaal as a "turning point." However, in the 2016-17 season, he made only four substitute appearances in the Premier League, totaling just 20 minutes of playing time. His sole start was in the EFL Cup third round against Northampton Town on September 21, 2016, playing 55 minutes. His last match for the club was on November 24, playing the final eight minutes of a 4-0 UEFA Europa League home victory against Feyenoord. Overall, Memphis scored 7 goals in 53 appearances for Manchester United. Under José Mourinho, he was deemed surplus to requirements.

2.3. Olympique Lyonnais

On January 20, 2017, Memphis signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with French club Lyon, extending until the summer of 2021. The initial transfer fee was estimated at 16.00 M GBP to 17.00 M GBP, potentially rising to 22.00 M GBP with add-ons linked to Lyon's UEFA Champions League qualification and Memphis signing a new contract. The deal also included buy-back and sell-on clauses for Manchester United. Two days later, he debuted for Lyon as a substitute in a 3-1 home Ligue 1 win against Marseille. On January 28, he made his first start in a 2-1 league defeat to Lille.

On March 12, in a game against Toulouse, Memphis scored a remarkable goal from near the halfway line, which he later called "the goal of my life," though he distanced himself from comparisons to David Beckham's famous goal. On the final day of the 2017-18 season, Memphis scored a hat-trick against Nice in a 3-2 win, securing Lyon's qualification for the Champions League. By November 16, 2019, he had recorded 50 goals and 42 assists in 130 appearances for Lyon.

On November 5, 2019, Memphis scored his fourth goal in as many games for Lyon against Benfica in a 3-1 win in the 2019-20 Champions League. On December 10, he scored an equalizer against RB Leipzig in a 2-2 draw, helping Lyon qualify for the knockout phase, marking his fifth consecutive goal in the competition. On December 15, Memphis tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing against Rennes in Ligue 1, prematurely ending a season in which he had scored nine goals in 12 league starts.

He returned from injury to start for Lyon in their French League Cup final penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain on July 31, 2020. On August 7, Memphis scored in his sixth consecutive UEFA Champions League match, converting a penalty in a 2-1 loss to Juventus; he became only the second Dutch player, after Ruud van Nistelrooy, to achieve this feat. Lyon advanced on away goals and eventually reached the semi-finals after defeating Manchester City. On August 28, 2020, Memphis scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Dijon in the opening match of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season. In the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, he recorded a league-high 12 assists and was the second-highest goal scorer. In total, Memphis scored 76 goals in 178 appearances for Lyon.

2.4. FC Barcelona

On June 19, 2021, La Liga club Barcelona announced the free transfer of Memphis on a two-year contract. According to his grandmother, he had aspired to play for Barcelona since the age of four. On August 15, Memphis made his Barcelona debut in a 4-2 league victory against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou. Six days later, he scored his first goal for the club in his second match, an equalizer against Athletic Bilbao in a 1-1 draw. On August 29, he scored in his second consecutive match, helping Barcelona win 2-1 against Getafe. On September 26, in a 3-0 win against Levante, he scored a penalty and contributed to the team's rise to fifth in La Liga.

During the 2021-22 season, he became a regular starter. However, following the departure of manager Ronald Koeman and the appointment of Xavi Hernández, coupled with new forward signings like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Adama Traoré, and Ferran Torres, his playing time decreased. He also suffered a hamstring injury in December, which sidelined him. Despite these challenges, he finished the season as the team's top league scorer with 12 goals. For the 2022-23 season, he was linked with a move to Juventus but remained at Barcelona. He scored his first goal of the season in the sixth league match against Elche CF, but then suffered another injury during an UEFA Nations League match with the Netherlands, leading to a period of absence. Overall, Memphis scored 14 goals in 42 appearances for Barcelona. He also won the 2022-23 La Liga title and the 2023 Supercopa de España with Barcelona.

2.5. Atlético Madrid

On January 20, 2023, Atlético Madrid announced the signing of Memphis on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The initial transfer fee was estimated to be over 4.00 M EUR. On February 12, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 away victory over Celta Vigo. On March 4, in his first start for Atlético against Sevilla, he scored two goals, contributing to a 6-1 victory that propelled Atlético to third place in La Liga.

Despite his goal contributions, Memphis's first year at Atlético was hampered by recurring injuries, limiting him to only eight league appearances. For the 2023-24 season, he continued to face injury setbacks but delivered notable performances on big stages. On March 13, 2024, Memphis scored the winning goal in the 87th minute in a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League round of 16 second leg, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2. Atlético subsequently won 3-2 on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals. He served as the third-choice forward behind Álvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann but still managed to score 9 goals in 31 official appearances. On May 22, 2024, Memphis Depay and Atlético Madrid mutually agreed to part ways. In total, he scored 13 goals in 40 appearances for Atlético.

2.6. Sport Club Corinthians Paulista

On September 9, 2024, Corinthians announced the signing of Memphis on a two-year contract. He scored his first goal for the club on October 18, 2024, against Athletico Paranaense. On December 4, he scored twice, including a sensational free-kick, and assisted Yuri Alberto, as Corinthians beat Bahia 3-0.

3.1. Youth National Teams

Memphis represented the Netherlands at various youth international levels, including the U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19, and U-21 teams. He was a crucial member of the U-17 team that won the 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Serbia. In the final against Germany in Novi Sad, he scored a goal that put the Netherlands ahead in their 5-2 comeback victory over their rivals. Later that year, he also participated in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Mexico. In 2013, he was part of the U-21 squad that reached the semifinals of the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

3.2. Senior National Team

Memphis made his senior international debut on October 15, 2013, coming on as a substitute for Jeremain Lens in the final minute of a 2-0 away win against Turkey in World Cup qualification. He was selected by Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal in the final 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. On June 5, 2015, he scored his first goal since the World Cup in a friendly against the United States, although the team ultimately lost 3-4.

At the 2014 World Cup, he came on as a substitute in the second group match against Australia to replace injured defender Bruno Martins Indi. In the 68th minute, he scored the winning goal with a swerving effort from outside the box and also assisted Robin van Persie's equalizer. At 20 years and four months old, he became the youngest Dutchman to score a goal at the World Cup. He again came on as a substitute in the final group match against Chile on June 23, scoring the second goal from an Arjen Robben cross as the Netherlands clinched first place with a 2-0 victory.

On July 11, Memphis was named on the three-man shortlist for the tournament's Best Young Player award, alongside Frenchmen Paul Pogba and Raphaël Varane, but the award went to Pogba. In October of that year, he was involved in a training ground altercation with teammate Robin van Persie; manager Danny Blind downplayed the incident. However, the following month, both Memphis and Van Persie were dropped from the Dutch squad for friendlies, with Blind stating that Memphis "doesn't always function in a team."

Memphis was part of the 26-player squad selected by coach Frank de Boer for UEFA Euro 2020. He scored two goals in four matches as the Netherlands were eliminated in the round of 16 by the Czech Republic. On September 7, 2021, Memphis scored his first international hat-trick in a 2022 World Cup qualification 6-1 win over Turkey, reaching 33 goals and equaling Johan Cruyff's and Abe Lenstra's goal-scoring tallies for the Netherlands. He continued to break records, reaching 42 international goals on June 14, 2022, in a UEFA Nations League match against Wales, equaling Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

In November 2022, he was named in the Dutch squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On December 3, he scored a goal in a 3-1 win over the United States in the round of 16, becoming the second all-time top scorer for his country with 43 goals, trailing only Robin van Persie's 50. On March 27, 2023, he scored his 44th international goal against Gibraltar in a Euro 2024 qualifier, further cementing his place in Dutch football history.

Memphis was named in the Netherlands' squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He scored his 46th goal in the tournament against Austria. In the semi-final against England, he was forced to leave the pitch due to injury in the 35th minute, and the Netherlands subsequently lost the match.

5.1. Musical Career

Memphis began pursuing a hip-hop career in June 2017 with the release of his Los Angeles-inspired freestyle, "LA Vibes," featuring his Netherlands national team teammate Quincy Promes. The music video quickly garnered around 150 K views on YouTube within hours of its upload. In December 2017, he released his freestyle track "Kings & Queens." On October 3, 2018, he collaborated with musical artists Winne and Nana Fofie and producer Rass King for his Ghana-inspired single, "AKWAABA." He also released his third freestyle, "Porto Cervo (Interlude)," with Winne. His fourth freestyle, "5-mill," was released in response to reaching 5 M followers on Instagram, though critics pointed to his cigar-smoking and perceived careless attitude as potentially harming his public image. He reportedly began doing rap at events to earn money to care for his mother during his childhood.

In December 2018, he released his second single, "No Love," addressing his canceled engagement to model Lori Harvey. The song is multilingual, featuring both English and Dutch lyrics. In July 2019, Memphis released "Fall Back." On November 1, 2019, Broederliefde released their album Broeders, which featured Memphis on the song "Lange Jas." He followed this with "Dubai Freestyle" on April 17, 2020.

In September 2020, Memphis released his song "2 Corinthians 5:7," and a month later, "Blessing." The music video for "Blessing" depicts Memphis returning to his hometown of Moordrecht. In his autobiography, Heart of a Lion, Memphis explained the song's meaning, emphasizing that true success comes from being unique and grateful, not solely from material possessions.

On November 27, 2020, he released his debut album, Heavy Stepper, a nine-track EP that included "2 Corinthians 5:7" and "Blessing" as singles, along with new tracks such as "Heavy Stepper (feat. Arra)," "Body Like You (feat. Zah Santori)," "From Ghana (feat. Rass King & Bisa Kdei)," "4AM Palm Flow," "Big Fish," "For A Week," and "D.B.A (feat. Yasmin Lauryn)." In 2021, he performed two freestyles on 101Barz. In November 2022, he collaborated with SFB and Quincy Promes on "TAT TAT." In January 2023, he worked with Bisa Kdei on the Afrobeat track "Drinks on Me." Other releases in 2023 included "Asem Beba" in February, "Leven Als Een Prof" (translating to 'life as a professional') in April, "These Days" (another multilingual track) in July, and "Baby Don't Play" (an all-English afro-beat track inspired by his Ghanaian roots) in October. Memphis has a significant amount of unreleased music, clips of which can be found online, and he plans to release them at the "right time."

5.2. Personal Life and Beliefs

Memphis is a devout Christian, having converted in 2016. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he and teammate Cody Gakpo led a Bible study group for 15 other Netherlands players.

He has numerous tattoos, each carrying personal significance. One on his left arm is a tribute to his grandfather, who passed away the day before Memphis turned 15. When he scored against Australia at the 2014 World Cup, he kissed this tattoo and pointed to the sky, dedicating the goal to his late grandfather. In 2016, he commemorated this moment with a tattoo on his left torso depicting Christ the Redeemer and the date 18.06.14, referencing his first international goal for the Netherlands. He also has the Dutch word succesvol ('successful') tattooed on the inside of his lip, and the words 'dream chaser' emblazoned on his upper torso.

In June 2017, Memphis announced his engagement to Lori Harvey, the youngest daughter of American television personality Steve Harvey, via social media. However, they later ended their engagement and relationship.

Memphis is also known as a car enthusiast, having purchased a Mercedes-Benz S-Class 680 Maybach, one of only 150 produced worldwide, in 2023. In June 2022, he visited Ghana, his father's home country, where he undertook philanthropic work at the Cape Coast School of the Deaf and Blind, refurbishing the facility.

5.3. Controversies

Memphis Depay's career and personal life have faced certain controversies. His decision to drop his father's surname, "Depay," due to a strained relationship has been a recurring public topic, with his father publicly denying abandonment and expressing a desire to reconcile. During his time at Manchester United, his perceived flashy lifestyle was criticized by assistant manager Ryan Giggs, who suggested it contributed to his poor form. In April 2020, Memphis drew criticism from several animal rights organizations for posting pictures with a liger cub while on vacation in Dubai, to which he responded by stating that "ligers are not even wild animals."

6.1. Club Honours

• PSV Eindhoven
  • Eredivisie: 2014-15
  • KNVB Cup: 2011-12
  • Johan Cruyff Shield: 2012
• Manchester United
  • FA Cup: 2015-16
• Olympique Lyonnais
  • Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2019-20
• FC Barcelona
  • La Liga: 2022-23
  • Supercopa de España: 2023

6.2. International Honours

• Netherlands U17
  • UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2011
• Netherlands
  • FIFA World Cup third place: 2014
  • UEFA Nations League runner-up: 2019

6.3. Individual Honours

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2011
• Eredivisie top scorer: 2014-15
• Johan Cruyff Trophy: 2014-15
• France Football Best Young Player: 2015
• UNFP Ligue 1 Goal of the Year: 2016-17
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2018
• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2020-21
• UEFA FIFA World Cup qualification top scorer: 2022 (12 goals)
• La Liga Goal of the Month: August 2023

7.1. Club Statistics

7.2. International Statistics

7.3. International Goals

8.1. Positive Evaluations and Contributions

Memphis is widely recognized for his exceptional technical skill, speed, and dribbling ability on the field. His prolific goal-scoring, particularly his free-kick expertise, has earned him accolades, including being the Eredivisie's top scorer and a top young player in European football. His determination and drive to be the best, often compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, are seen as positive attributes.

Beyond football, Memphis has made significant positive social contributions through his philanthropic endeavors. His commitment to supporting the less fortunate, notably through his work at the Cape Coast School of the Deaf and Blind in Ghana, demonstrates a dedication to social impact. His musical career, while sometimes controversial, also allows him to express his personal beliefs and connect with a broader audience, as seen in songs like "Blessing" that convey messages of gratitude and inner success. His Christian faith and willingness to share it openly, including leading Bible studies with teammates, are also seen positively by many.

8.2. Criticism and Controversies

Despite his talents, Memphis has faced criticisms regarding aspects of his personality and professional conduct. Early in his career, he was described as "angry" and later, his individualistic playing style led to accusations of being a "ball-hog," with critics noting a high number of shots compared to assists. This perception of selfishness, coupled with a perceived "flashy lifestyle," drew criticism from figures like Ryan Giggs during his time at Manchester United, who suggested it affected his form.

His personal life has also been subject to public debate, particularly his decision to drop his father's surname due to a strained relationship, which has led to media attention regarding family reconciliation efforts. Another notable controversy involved his posting of pictures with a liger cub, which sparked strong condemnation from animal rights organizations, highlighting debates surrounding exotic animal ownership. These incidents, alongside a reputation for cockiness, have contributed to a mixed public perception of Memphis Depay, balancing admiration for his skills with scrutiny of his choices and behavior.

9.1. Club Honours

• PSV Eindhoven
  • Eredivisie: 2014-15
  • KNVB Cup: 2011-12
  • Johan Cruyff Shield: 2012
• Manchester United
  • FA Cup: 2015-16
• Olympique Lyonnais
  • Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2019-20
• FC Barcelona
  • La Liga: 2022-23
  • Supercopa de España: 2023

9.2. International Honours

• Netherlands U17
  • UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2011
• Netherlands
  • FIFA World Cup third place: 2014
  • UEFA Nations League runner-up: 2019

9.3. Individual Honours

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2011
• Eredivisie top scorer: 2014-15
• Johan Cruyff Trophy: 2014-15
• France Football Best Young Player: 2015
• UNFP Ligue 1 Goal of the Year: 2016-17
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2018
• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2020-21
• UEFA FIFA World Cup qualification top scorer: 2022 (12 goals)
• La Liga Goal of the Month: August 2023

10.1. Club Statistics

10.2. International Statistics

10.3. International Goals