Memphis Depay, the Dutch forward, has recently defended the release of his new music video, which depicts the Corinthians headquarters engulfed in flames. The video, released just 24 hours after a contentious contract dispute with the club, has ignited a significant backlash and fueled speculation about the nature of the content. Depay’s recent actions come amidst a period of heightened scrutiny concerning the club’s financial and governance issues, further intensifying the pressure on both sides. The controversy stems from the video’s central focus on the club’s administrative center, Parque Sao Jorge, which is visibly damaged and illuminated with flames, a stark visual representation of the club’s perceived instability. The video, initially released just hours after Depay’s crucial contribution to Corinthians’s quarter-final exit in the Copa Libertadores, appears to incorporate references to the club’s recent disputes, with Depay’s camera observing the flames and seemingly watching the center in distress. Depay himself doesn’t explicitly name the individuals involved in the fire, but the lyrics and imagery suggest a deliberate portrayal of rivalries and perceived grievances. The song’s lyrics explicitly mention ‘rivals’ and the phrase ‘I know a vice-president who is now my enemy,’ highlighting a deliberate attempt to create a narrative of conflict. Corinthians fans have been protesting against the club’s ownership, citing growing financial and governance concerns, and Depay has taken steps to dampen any potential backlash before further protests commenced. Following the initial agreement with Osmar Stabile, president of Corinthians, Depay agreed to a significantly reduced financial commitment, totaling R$21 million, representing a substantial portion of his original contract value. The agreed-upon reduction, amounting to R$75 million, was intended to address the club’s financial challenges. The remainder of the debt, amounting to R$54 million, is scheduled to be paid in four installments, beginning in January 2027. Depay’s contributions to Corinthians have been substantial, scoring 20 goals in 80 appearances for the club and leading them to the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil in 2024. However, the club, who are ninth in Brazil’s Serie A, initially refused to extend his contract over concerns regarding their finances, leading to a negotiation between Depay and the club’s president. According to ESPN Brasil, Depay agreed to waive about R$21 million (£2.9 million) from his R$75 million (£10.6 million) owed to him as part of the new two-year deal. The remainder of the debt, amounting to R$54 million, is set to be paid in four instalments, starting in January 2027. The club, who are ninth in Brazil’s Serie A, had initially decided not to extend his contract over concerns over their finances, which led to Depay’s reduced financial demands. The video’s release just hours after the club withdrew a previously agreed extension on a two-year deal signed in 2024, underscores the intensity of the situation. Depay, in a social media statement, expressed his frustration, stating that Corinthians ‘unacceptable’ and that the contract ends. He has stated that the video was filmed months ago. Depay has been characterized as a ‘muse’ and a ‘philanthropist’ for the Netherlands national team, and his career is marked by a record-breaking goalscoring record. The controversy surrounding the music video is a significant distraction for both the club and the player, adding to the overall tension within the Brazilian football landscape.”}
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Source: BBC Football
