Depay Dropped from Netherlands Starting Lineup After Passport Snafu Delays Arrival
TA’ QALI, MALTA – October 9, 2024 – Netherlands forward Memphis Depay will not start in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying match against Malta after a delayed arrival to team camp due to a stolen passport, confirmed national team coach Ronald Koeman. Teh incident forced Depay to remain in Brazil longer than anticipated while securing replacement travel documents.
The 31-year-old, currently playing for Corinthians São Paulo, was scheduled to join the Dutch squad on Sunday evening but was unable to travel without valid identification. Depay reportedly located his stolen passport shortly before his scheduled departure, but a flight without it was impractical.
Koeman acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances but stated the delay necessitates a change in plans. “This is unfortunate, especially for Memphis, but also for us. of course you want to start preparing for the international matches with a full squad. At the same time there are circumstances that are outside of our control. We hope that he can actually travel to our training camp as soon as possible,” Koeman said. However, he firmly stated, “The plan I had with Memphis in my head will change. He won’t be in the starting eleven against Malta. Everyone has the right to be late, but not if you have to play a game.”
Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer with 52 goals in 104 international appearances – surpassing Robin van Persie last month with a brace against Lithuania – is now expected to join the team as soon as possible, according to the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), who stated he is “doing everything in his power” to arrive quickly. The team also played Finland on October 12th without Depay in the starting lineup.
