Dutch forward Memphis Depay has expressed his expectations that a large number of European footballers will join the Brazilian football elite ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Depay, 30, made the comments on Thursday during his first press conference as a Corinthians player, without revealing the specific reasons why he decided to switch to South American football.
Depay was unveiled as a new Corinthians player on Wednesday night and signed a two-year contract.
“This is bigger than football itself. Many stars are from Brazil, great soccer players. It is the Mecca of football. “Children in Europe look at Brazil for the way they play and experience,” Depay said on Thursday.
According to FIFA data, an average of 1,000 Brazilian footballers leave the country each year, many of them for Europe.
Depay has not played a game since the European Championship, where the Netherlands were eliminated by England in the semi-finals.
He has admitted to taking advice from Neymar and Vinicius Junior to join Brazilian football.
Depay has built a successful career, playing for Manchester United, Lyon and Barcelona before moving to Atletico Madrid. /Football Match Up/
