"The Brazilian League is top, I came here to be happy"

Dutchman Memphis Depay was presented on Thursday with the shirt of his new club, Corinthians, and praised the quality of Brazilian football, especially for its passion, energy and intensity, which are ‘different’.

The striker said that "it is important’ that in Europe the Brazilian Championship is valued and respected, a top league, competitive and where “authentic football” comes from.

He explained that playing for the Dutch national team, he had the opportunity to play against several teams from South American countries and always encountered difficulties due to the style of play.

The 30-year-old Depay said he decided to play in Brazil to get to know the game and because he wanted to "be happy", both on and off the pitch.

"Why did I cross the world to play in a country like Brazil, which is less known to Europeans? It's very simple. I thought: "What can I do to be happier? That's why I'm here," he said.

Memphis also noted that he has felt some cultural similarities with his father's home country of Ghana because of the warmth of the people and the energy of the fans.