Even star athletes face everyday headaches. Just ask Memphis Depay. The Corinthians forward almost missed a recent match for the Dutch national team. His biggest opponent wasn’t on the field; it was a missing passport. The whole ordeal caused a lot of stress right before a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Malta.
Depay had to travel alone to meet his teammates because of the issue. He was frantic, searching high and low for the essential document. “I really looked everywhere for that passport,” Depay explained. “It wasn’t at my house. It wasn’t at the club’s training grounds either.” He even checked his designer luggage. “It wasn’t in any of my Gucci or Louis Vuitton bags. The passport just vanished.”
The star player believes his passport was stolen. “I’m always very careful with my belongings,” he noted, expressing his frustration. This unexpected problem used up a lot of extra energy. “It wasn’t a positive kind of energy,” he admitted. The situation cast a shadow over his preparations for the game.
Despite the pre-match drama, Depay eventually joined the squad. He started the game against Malta on the bench. The Netherlands dominated, winning comfortably by a score of 4-0. Depay later came onto the field and even managed to score the final goal. This marked his 53rd goal for the national team, keeping him as their all-time top scorer.
Now, Depay is waiting for a new passport. “I asked for a new one, so I need to be patient,” he said. The Brazilian embassy is helping him get another document. He also has an emergency passport for his return journey. “I hope everything gets sorted out properly,” Depay added. He acknowledged the Dutch Federation’s help during this tough time. In the end, despite the trouble, he felt it was “always worth it” to play for his country.