Memphis Depay mourns penalty knocking Corinthians out of Libertadores

Memphis Depay, the 32‑year‑old striker of Corinthians, misses a penalty in stoppage time against Estudiantes, causing the Brazilian club to be eliminated from the Copa Libertadores. The Dutchman immediately wrote an emotional message on social media, in which he describes his disappointment as the biggest of his career.

Missed penalty in stoppage time

The penalty came deep in stoppage time, from eleven metres. Depay could have kept his team level, but he shot over. The missed shot meant the end of the match for Corinthians.

Because of the missed shot the Brazilian club was definitively knocked out of the Copa Libertadores. The loss ended their hope of a title in the prestigious South American tournament.

The Instagram post read: “I want to apologise to the fans. My apologies to the millions of people who believed in our dream of winning the Copa Libertadores.” Depay then wrote: “I am devastated. This penalty, which could have kept us in the match, has become the biggest disappointment in my career so far.”

Depay emphasized that he was fully confident he could strike the ball correctly, “as I have done so many times in my career”. He described the missed moment as “incredibly painful” and a personal disappointment.

The Dutchman has been left out of the Dutch national team by national coach Xavi Hernández. Depay stated: “I understand and accept all criticism and emotions that arise at this moment, but I will never give up on writing even greater history with this club.”

In his message Depay added that he has extended his contract with 100 % awareness, despite a “poorly going year”. He concluded: “It will not be easy, but anyone who knows me knows that I am a fighter.”

The contrasts between the personal disappointment and his undiminished will to fight show that Depay remains determined, despite the pain of the missed penalty and the elimination from the Libertadores.