‘Don’t ever disrespect my professionalism!’: Barcelona’s Memphis Depay SLAMS reports claiming he was PURPOSELY delaying his recovery from injury so he can be fit for the World Cup – as he accuses Spanish media of ‘creating a negative narrative’ about him
- Memphis Depay slams reports he is purposely delaying his recovery from injury
- Depay picked up a hamstring injury during an Nations League game with Poland
- An initial prognosis had said he should only be sidelined for four to five weeks
- But reports claimed he was waiting until the World Cup before making a return
- Dutchman took to social media to deny the reports and blast the Spanish media
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
Memphis Depay has taken to social media to vehemently deny reports that he is delaying his return from injury on purpose in order to prioritise his fitness for the World Cup.
The Barcelona forward also accused the Spanish media of ‘creating a negative narrative’ around him as he continues to make his comeback from a hamstring injury.
And the 28-year-old was left furious by the claims, leaving him with no other option that to address the reports to his 2.5million followers on Twitter.
Memphis Depay has taken to social media to deny reports that he is delaying his return from injury on purpose in order to prioritise his fitness for the World Cup
Depay took aim at Spanish media, accusing them of ‘creating a negative narrative’ around him
The forward picked up a hamstring injury during Holland’s Nations League win over Poland
Depay tweeted: ‘Hearing some disrespectful rumors about me purposely slowing down my injury.
‘The media sharing things so easy without actually knowing the facts which as end result creates a negative narrative around my name! Don’t ever disrespect my professionalism!’
Depay has been sidelined since he picked up the muscle injury during Holland’s 2-0 Nations League win over Poland in September, with an initial assessment suggesting that he should be fit within ‘four to five weeks’. However, Depay is still yet to make a return and has no return date lined up.
Depay watches on from the stands as Barcelona beat Villarreal 3-0 earlier this month
This led to reports from Spanish outlet AS claiming there are individuals at Barcelona who are convinced that Depay’s delayed return is down to the forward’s desire to enter the World Cup in peak condition.
AS claimed the initial prognosis meant Depay should have recovered in a maximum of five weeks but – six weeks after the incident – but the forward still has no expectations on when he’ll return.
The Catalan side have resigned to the fact that Depay will not be featuring in their two remaining LaLiga games against Almeria and Osasuna prior to the tournament in Qatar kick-starting.
The forward has only made two appearances in LaLiga and three in all competitions this year having fallen down the pecking order at the Camp Nou.
Depay (front left) will be hoping to become Holland’s top goalscorer in history at Qatar
Depay has been one of Holland’s most important players in recent years and will be desperate to play in Qatar – given the fact they failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018.
The 28-year-old is closing in on becoming the nation’s top goalscorer in history and sits just eight goals behind former Arsenal and Man United striker Robin van Persie.
Holland will start their World Cup campaign against Senegal on November 21st. They’re joined by Ecuador and host nation Qatar in Group A.
