Memphis Depay is a Dutch professional footballer who is a forward for La Liga club Atletico Madrid and the Netherlands national team. He was born in Moordrecht, Netherlands, on February 13, 1994.
Memphis began his football journey at a young age, joining the youth academy of his local club, VV Moordrecht. His talent quickly caught the attention of scouts, leading to his move to the esteemed youth academy of PSV Eindhoven in 2006. He rose through the ranks, impressing with his performances and eventually making his senior debut for PSV in 2011 at 17.
During his time at PSV, Memphis showcased his immense potential, playing a pivotal role in PSV's Eredivisie title triumph, scoring 22 goals in 30 league appearances and earning the top scorer award. His impressive performances also attracted the attention of top European clubs.
In 2015, the then-teenager secured a move to Manchester United in the Premier League. However, his time at the club did not go as smoothly as expected. He struggled to adapt to the demanding nature of English football and faced inconsistent form. After two seasons with limited playing time, he joined Olympique Lyonnais in France in January 2017.
Memphis' move to Lyon revitalised his career. He flourished in Ligue 1, becoming the focal point of the French outfit's attack. Known for his dribbling skills, pace, and powerful shooting, he consistently delivered impressive performances, contributing with goals, and assists. Depay's time at Lyon also saw him develop as a leader, serving as the team's captain and guiding them to multiple top-four finishes in the league.
In 2021, the 29-year-old joined FC Barcelona on a free transfer. It began well for him as a regular joining forces with his former national team coach Ronald Koeman - scoring 12 league goals in his first season - but he became a bit-part player under new boss Xavi Hernandez, who preferred other attackers.
He then joined Barca's La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid for a nominal €4m fee in search of regular playing time in January 2023. However, he has endured an injury-plagued second half of the season.
Memphis has represented the Netherlands national team since 2013 on the international stage. He first burst onto the scene at the 2014 World Cup, and has been a regular fixture in the senior squad ever since, leading their attack in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup (2022) and the UEFA European Championship (2020).
But what are the 13 things you absolutely need to know about the Dutch attacker?