Memphis Depay seeks his own Huntelaar moment at 2026 World Cup

Memphis Depay is no longer the Netherlands’ first-choice striker, and possibly not even the second, as Donyell Malen and Brian Brobbey lead the line ahead of Saturday’s World Cup clash with Sweden. The 100-cap veteran must now carve out a new role, one that mirrors Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s decisive intervention at the 2014 tournament. Huntelaar’s moment came in Fortaleza on 94 minutes against Mexico, when he stepped up to score a penalty in a high-pressure eighth-final shootout. The Dutch striker, initially sidelined behind Robin van Persie and Jeremain Lens, seized his chance when called upon. Depay, part of that 2014 squad as a young player, knows the story well. His path to influence now may lie in smaller, sharper contributions rather than a starting berth. The question is whether he has the patience to wait for such an opportunity. Bondscoach Ronald Koeman has kept the striker hierarchy fluid. After Malen missed clear chances against Algeria, Koeman remarked: “Who knows, Memphis might have scored from those same chances.” Malen, however, does not publicly assert his claim to the role, unlike Huntelaar’s clear ambition in 2014. The medical staff’s training data shows Depay improving physically each day, though fitness alone does not guarantee rhythm. The demanding nature of this World Cup demands sharpness, not just availability.

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A Huntelaar-style role—smaller, more defined—could offer a solution. Koeman could deploy Depay as a tactical joker, a luxury option with a profile distinct from Wout Weghorst’s pinch-hitter profile. Luck will play a part. The knockout phase may present the clearest chance, but even earlier opportunities could arise, such as the third group game against Tunisia. Twelve years ago, Wim Kieft’s headed goal against Ireland at Euro 1988 sealed his legacy despite limited starts. Depay, too, may find that one defining moment is enough to shift perceptions.

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The Oranje face Sweden on Saturday with Malen and Brobbey expected to lead the line. Depay’s path to impact remains open, but it will require patience, timing, and a readiness to act when called upon. Koeman has not ruled out using Depay in a supporting role. The striker’s experience and leadership could prove valuable even outside the starting XI, provided he remains mentally prepared for a reduced profile. For now, Depay trains with purpose. His fitness curve rises daily, yet rhythm—the heartbeat of tournament football—has not yet returned. That timing may only come when the stakes demand it most.