Memphis Depay sparks controversy in Brazil

Memphis Depay continues to make headlines in Brazil. Every match seems to put him at the center of attention for one reason or another. Just a few days ago, it was for a stunning goal against Neymar’s Santos. However, last night his impact was far less positive. He started against Flamengo but was forced to leave after just 22 minutes due to discomfort, asking to be substituted before heading to the locker room, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

In the second half, while sitting on the bench alongside his teammates, he was caught taking a phone call for several minutes. The situation escalated until Corinthians staff approached him and asked him to put the phone away. After the incident, Depay took to social media to explain himself. He said he had been speaking with the medical staff of the Dutch national team to inform them about his condition.

“Just to clarify, the moment with my phone was simply to communicate with the medical staff in the Netherlands at that time. I came out to show support for my team, while I could have stayed in the locker room due to my injury. I’m also disappointed with the result of the match. We continue working for better days,” he wrote on his social media accounts.

At 32 years old, Depay still has the main ambition of playing in the World Cup with the Netherlands—a goal that fans of his club often criticize. Another source of tension is his high salary, around $14 million per year, despite Corinthians’ financial difficulties. The club’s debt to the player is reportedly close to $5.4 million.