Depay's latest scandal

Depay sparks controversy for using his phone on the bench.

Memphis Depay continues to be the center of attention in Brazil, but this time not for his professional performance. The 32-year-old striker is embroiled in controversy after being spotted using his phone while sitting on the bench during a Corinthians match.

In the match against Flamengo, Depay was included in the starting lineup but had to leave the field in the 22nd minute because he felt unwell. He proactively asked to be substituted and went straight to the dressing room to have his injury checked.

However, the story didn't end there. In the second half, after returning to the technical area, Depay was caught on a phone call that lasted several minutes. This quickly attracted attention, prompting a member of the Corinthians coaching staff to approach and remind him to put away his phone.

Following public backlash, Depay clarified the situation on social media. He asserted that the call was solely for the purpose of contacting the Dutch national team's medical staff to update them on his injury.

“I just want to make it clear that my call was purely to communicate with the medical team in the Netherlands. I still went out to support the team, even though I could have stayed in the dressing room due to injury. I was also disappointed with the result of the match and will continue to work hard with the whole team,” Depay shared.

Although the explanation was given relatively quickly, the incident remained controversial, given that Depay was already a name that attracted much mixed opinion in Brazil. Not long before, he had made his mark with a beautiful goal against Neymar's Santos, but that also frequently became a topic of discussion.

At 32 years old, Depay still hopes to participate in the 2026 World Cup with the Netherlands national team. However, this ambition has displeased some Corinthians fans, who believe he is not fully committed to the club.

Furthermore, Depay's salary of approximately 13 million euros per year is also a controversial issue. Corinthians are reportedly facing financial difficulties and even owe the player money. This makes Depay's image even more sensitive in the eyes of fans.

A few days ago, Depay himself admitted that he sensed dissenting opinions against the club. According to the Dutch striker, not everyone wants to see Corinthians return to a title-contending position.

This incident, therefore, is not simply an action on the bench. It reflects the pressure and conflicts that have surrounded Depay during his time playing in Brazil.