Memphis Depay Ruled Out Again for Corinthians as Netherlands Star Suffers Knee Injury

Memphis Depay Ruled Out Again as Knee Injury Adds to Netherlands Star’s Difficult Year

Memphis Depay’s 2025 campaign has felt like a long, frustrating loop — moments of brilliance interrupted repeatedly by physical setbacks. And now, the cycle continues. Memphis Depay has been ruled out again for Corinthians, this time with a knee sprain that marks his sixth injury of the year, casting yet another shadow over a season already dominated by rehabilitation tables and medical updates.

The timing couldn’t be worse. With the Brasileirao entering its final stretch and the Copa do Brasil semi-finals just around the corner, Corinthians find themselves without one of their most experienced and creative players at the very moment they need him most.

For Depay, who arrived in Brazil with expectations of becoming a difference-maker, 2025 has instead become a year defined by interruptions — a stop-start rhythm that has never allowed him to build full momentum.

Another Setback as Memphis Depay’s Injuries Continue to Pile Up

Corinthians v America de Cali – Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana

Depay’s latest injury came during the heated derby against São Paulo. Despite starting the game on the bench due to travel fatigue after national team duties with the Netherlands, he still managed to produce a moment of high class, scoring a beautiful goal in Corinthians’ 3–1 victory.

But the joy didn’t last long. Post-match imaging revealed bone edema in his knee — a painful swelling that requires careful management. Corinthians have not announced a timeline for his return, but the clock is working against him. With only four league matches left and the Copa do Brasil semi-finals set to begin on December 10, Depay’s availability is genuinely in doubt.

This latest issue brings his total days sidelined in 2025 to 73, an astonishing amount for a player who was expected to be a central figure in the club’s attacking plans.

For the fans and the club, the frustration is understandable. For Depay, it must feel like déjà vu.

A Season Overwhelmed by Physical Problems

Depay’s 2025 injury log reads like a medical diary — one issue after another, disrupting any attempts at continuity.

• Two separate right-thigh strains kept him out for 21 days in August and another 25 days between September and October.

• Earlier in the year, he suffered a sprained right ankle, a foot trauma, and another ankle trauma, costing him an additional 27 days combined.

• Now, a knee sprain with bone edema adds to the growing list.

None of these injuries individually match the severity of his ACL tear from 2019 — a defining moment in his career — but the frequency is deeply worrying. For an explosive player like Depay, whose game relies on speed, power, and sharp changes of direction, recurring lower-body injuries take an enormous toll.

Corinthians’ medical team has approached his situation with increasing caution. Between the club’s demanding schedule and Depay’s commitments with the Dutch national team, the workload has clearly been heavy. The player continues to push through, but his body has struggled to keep up.

The result? A season marked by false starts, half-recoveries, and frustrating pauses.

A Mixed Season: Magic in Small Doses, Interrupted by Injuries

What makes this latest setback even harder to digest is the fact that Depay had begun rediscovering his form. After facing criticism earlier for his goal output, the Dutchman had started to silence doubters. His strike in the derby was his tenth of the season, and with it, he reached an important milestone in Corinthians history.

Depay now sits among the club’s most successful foreign scorers:

• 17 goals in 60 matches for Corinthians

• Level with Mauro Boselli (17 in 72)

• Chasing big names like Ángel Romero (66), Paolo Guerrero (54), and Carlos Tevez (46)

These numbers are a testament to his impact when fit. He brings experience, flair, unpredictability — and in big games, he often delivers. That’s exactly why these recurring injuries feel so deflating for Corinthians supporters.

Depay has shown that he can be a match-winner. What he hasn’t been able to show this year is consistent availability.

Corinthians Push Forward Despite Challenges

Corinthians v Ceara – Brasileirao 2025

As Depay heads back to the recovery room, coach Dorival Júnior will once again need to adjust. The expectation is that Gui Negão, the promising youngster, will take on greater responsibility up front alongside Yuri Alberto. Rodrigo Garro’s return from suspension will also provide some spark in midfield.

The good news for Corinthians is that, despite the turbulence, their season has been remarkably strong.

• They won the Campeonato Paulista, ending a six-year title drought.

• They pulled off a dramatic turnaround in the Brasileirao, climbing from 19th place to the top seven.

• Performances have been brave, energetic, and often defiant — especially against major rivals.

Depay has played his part in key moments, but the squad as a whole has shown resilience. That collective strength will be tested again as they approach a decisive period without one of their most dangerous attackers.

What Comes Next? Recovery — Again

Depay’s immediate priority is clear: heal, recover, and try again. It’s a pattern he’s repeated six times this year, and mentally, that might be the toughest toll of all.

The forward is almost certain to miss Corinthians’ next league game against Botafogo on November 30, and his participation in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals remains uncertain. For a club aiming high in multiple competitions, his absence is a heavy blow — but not an unfamiliar one.

Still, even in a season overshadowed by injuries, Depay has shown flashes of the genius that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting attackers. Corinthians know what he can offer. The fans know it too.

The hope now is that his body allows him to finish the year on his own terms — not on the sidelines.

For Memphis Depay, 2025 could still have a defining chapter left. But once again, it all starts in the treatment room.