Memphis Depay: The Dutch Hitmaker Rewriting History with a 4-0 Triumph and an Unmatched Assist Record

Depay’s Historic Night and the 4-0 Win

Memphis Depay continues to etch his name into the history books for the Netherlands, delivering a performance that reinforces his status as one of the Oranje’s most influential players.

The 31-year-old has become the Netherlands’ all-time top assist provider, recording 35 assists and surpassing the legends who once guided the team.

In the European World Cup qualifiers, the Netherlands cruised to a 4-0 victory over Finland, with Depay playing a key role as the team reaffirmed its status.

The goals came from Donny Malen (8), Virgil van Dijk (17), Memphis Depay (38, from a penalty), and Cody Gakpo (84).

Depay also supplied the assists for the first two strikes, setting up Malen and van Dijk.

At 31, Depay has not only contributed in front of goal but also extended his record as the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 53 goals, a rare double that few Dutch players have achieved in modern history.

A Career Spanning Clubs: PSV to Corinthians

His international journey began in 2013 under Louis van Gaal, and he quickly established himself as a premier attacking talent across Europe.

Known for his ability to change games with goals and creative playmaking, he has been a leadership anchor for the Oranje across a challenging decade.

He left an imprint in major tournaments, including the 2014 World Cup and the Euro tournaments in 2020 and 2024, helping to restore the Netherlands among Europe’s elite.

A club career that reads like a tour of powerhouses—Manchester United, Lyon, and Barcelona—has kept his talent in the spotlight and his hunger undiminished.

Depay began his senior career with PSV Eindhoven in 2011-2012, quickly rising to prominence as the Dutch league’s standout star.

The 2014-2015 season was a breakthrough: he scored 22 league goals to become the league’s top scorer and helped PSV win the Eredivisie and the Dutch Super Cup in 2012.

That form earned a move to Manchester United for about £25 million, where he wore the No.7 shirt under Van Gaal, facing immense expectations.

His stint in England yielded 7 goals in 53 games, and after Mourinho's arrival his playing time dwindled, prompting a move to Olympique Lyon in January 2017 for around €16 million.

In France, he revived his form, guiding Lyon toward the 2020 Champions League semi-finals, while racking up over 75 goals and 50 assists in more than 170 Ligue 1 appearances.

That form paved the way for a return to Barça on a free transfer, where he scored 14 times in 42 matches under Ronald Koeman before Xavi’s arrival reshaped his role.

In January 2023 he joined Atlético Madrid, used as a mobile striker by Diego Simeone and delivering decisive goals despite recurring injuries.

Following his Atlético stint, Depay moved to Corinthians in Brazil, appearing 53 times and contributing 15 goals with 14 assists.

Depay’s career trajectory—from PSV to the global stage—remains a reminder that talent, when paired with leadership, can stretch beyond boundaries.

Punchline 1: If assists were a dating app, Depay would have matches with every keeper.

Punchline 2: When he lines up a penalty, even the net starts applauding—that’s what you call a Depay-tion in action.