Memphis Depay Defends Controversial Music Video Amid Contract Negotiations with Corinthians
Netherlands international Memphis Depay has responded to criticism regarding his new music video, which depicts Corinthians’ headquarters engulfed in flames, asserting that it is merely “art.” This statement follows a recent contract dispute with the Brazilian football club.
On Tuesday, the former Manchester United forward agreed to a “significant” pay cut to stay at Corinthians.
This agreement came just a week after the club opted against renewing his contract. Despite this turmoil, Depay faced backlash for the release of his video for the song ‘Don’t Panic’.
The controversial music video debuted just a day after Depay assisted Corinthians in reaching the quarter-final of the Copa Libertadores. The video includes imagery of the club’s administrative center, Parque Sao Jorge, in flames, possibly hinting at his recent tensions with the organization.
In his lyrics, Depay refrains from naming specific individuals but references “rivals” and expresses thoughts about a “vice-president who is now my enemy.”
Amid protests from Corinthians fans against the club’s management, in light of rising financial troubles, Depay sought to minimize any negative reaction to his video by clarifying that it was filmed “months ago”.
“I hope it’s a peaceful protest where people can express what they think calmly. About my music, I insist it’s just art,” he said on social media.
Addressing the video’s depiction of the club’s headquarters, the Dutch forward emphasized his opposition to any form of violence.
Depay’s Contract Saga at Corinthians
Depay grabbed an assist in the Copa Libertadores last-16 tie against Rosario Central [Getty Images]
On August 11, Depay accused Corinthians of “unacceptable behaviour” when the club retracted a previously agreed extension of a two-year contract signed in 2024.
On August 18, Corinthians president Osmar Stabile revealed that Depay had significantly reduced his financial expectations to secure a new contract with the Sao Paulo club lasting until 2028.
Throughout his tenure at Corinthians, Depay has netted 20 goals in 80 appearances and contributed to the club’s victories in the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year.
However, concerns over the club’s financial health led to their initial decision not to extend his contract, as they currently sit ninth in Brazil’s Serie A standings.
According to ESPN Brasil, Depay agreed to forgo approximately R$21m (£2.9m) from R$75m (£10.6m) owed to him as part of a new two-year deal valued at a total of R$135m (£19.1m).
The outstanding debt, totaling R$54m (£7.6m), is scheduled to be repaid in four installments beginning in January 2027.
As the Netherlands’ all-time leading goal scorer, Depay experienced challenges during the 2026 World Cup, failing to score in three matches as his team exited in the last 32.
Netherlands international Memphis Depay has defended the release of his new music video showing Corinthians’ headquarters in flames as “just art” – days after a contract row with the Brazilian club.
The former Manchester United forward agreed to take a “significant” pay cut to stay at Corinthians on Tuesday.
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It came a week after the club opted against renewing his contract.
But Depay has now come under scrutiny for releasing the controversial music video for his track ‘Don’t Panic’.
It was released just 24 hours after the 32-year-old helped Corinthians reach the quarter-final of the Copa Libertadores, and appears to contain references to his recent disputes with the club, showing him watching their administrative center Parque Sao Jorge in flames.
In the song, Depay does not name who he is referring to, but mentions “rivals” and sings: “I know a vice-president who is now my enemy.”
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Corinthians fans are currently protesting against the club’s ownership amid growing financial and governance issues and Depay moved to dampen any potential backlash against the video before further protests by saying it was filmed “months ago”.
“I hope its a peaceful protest where people can express what they think calmly. About my music, I insist it’s just art,” he said on social media.
Referencing to the club’s headquarters’ being in flames, the Dutchman added he was “fully against any type of violence of all kind”.
Depay’s contract saga at Corinthians
Depay grabbed an assist in the Copa Libertadores last-16 tie against Rosario Central [Getty Images]
On 11 August, Depay accused Corinthians of “unacceptable behaviour” after the club withdrew a previously agreed extension on a two-year deal signed in 2024.
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But Corinthians president Osmar Stabile then announced on 18 August the forward had reduced his financial demands “significantly” in order to sign a new contract with the Sao Paulo club until 2028.
He has scored 20 goals in 80 appearances for Corinthians and helped them win the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year.
But the club, who are ninth in Brazil’s Serie A, had originally decided not to extend his contract over concerns over their finances.
According to ESPN Brasil, Depay agreed to waive about R$21m (£2.9m) from R$75m (£10.6m) owed to him as part of the new two-year deal that is worth a total of R$135m (£19.1m).
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The remainder of the debt, amounting to R$54m (£7.6m), is set to be paid in four instalments, starting in January 2027.
Depay is the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer but failed to net in three appearances as his side exited the 2026 World Cup in the last 32.
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