Scorer of the second goal in the 2-1 victory over Vasco in the Copa do Brasil decision, Dutchman Memphis Depay celebrated the second title for Corinthians this Sunday (21), at Maracanã, and the tenth of his career.
“I’m very proud of the players. I arrived here last year when nobody believed in our team, but we won two titles,” said Depay.
“It was a very heavy game, with a lot of pressure from Vasco. But Corinthians is a big club”, said the Dutchman, who began giving an interview to Globo in Portuguese and, in the end, returned to English.
On March 27th of this year, number 10 also lifted the Campeonato Paulista cup in a decision against arch-rivals Palmeiras.
This Sunday, Memphis completed 65 games for the black and white team and scored its 19th goal. He has a contract with Corinthians until July 2026 and avoids talking about a possible renewal or not.
Before arriving at Parque São Jorge, the striker had been a champion with Manchester United (FA Cup, English League Cup and Europa League); Barcelona (Spanish Super Cup and Spanish Championship); and PSV (Dutch Cup, Dutch Super Cup and Dutch Championship).
Like Memphis, striker Yuri Alberto, who opened the scoring for Corinthians against Vasco, and goalkeeper Hugo Souza also let off steam after winning the Copa do Brasil.
“Everyone disbelieved us, they said we wouldn’t get past Palmeiras, Athletico, Cruzeiro. We passed”, recalled the goalkeeper.
“After the first game against Vasco, they said that we lost the chance to be champion. Vegetti, in the game there [em Itaquera]said he was playing at his house. But we showed what Corinthians is, you can say whatever you want”, continued Hugo.
Plagued by injuries throughout the season, Yuri Alberto said that, in the first duel of the decision against Vasco, he suffered from body pain and, when celebrating winning the Copa do Brasil, he was emotional.
“It was worth all the effort and physical sacrifice to play. In the last game I suffered a lot, in a lot of pain. Unfortunately [em Itaquera]our team didn’t do well technically”, said the striker.
“We deserved it so much. In all our victories, everything was the opponent’s misfortune, it was never due to Corinthians. Today, we showed with this great title that we deserve it a lot.”
Corinthians reached their second title of the season after ups and downs, on and off the field. Throughout 2025, the club suffered from the impeachment of President Augusto Melo, the increase in its debts to almost R$2.7 billion and the change of coaches.
In the Brazilian Championship, Corinthians finished in 13th place, with just 47 points in 38 matches.
For winning the Copa do Brasil, the black and white club earned R$98 million in prizes, including R$77 million for the final against Vasco alone.
