Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Memphis Depay, Netherlands, Football, Euro 2024
Ryan Smart
Fans will have noticed that Memphis Depay doesn't wear his surname on his shirt at Euro 2024 - but what is the reason behind his decision?
Depay has started both games for the Netherlands in Germany, but is yet to register a goal or an assist.
He was substituted for Wout Weghorst in his nation's opener against Austria, with the Burnley forward then scoring what proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory two minutes later.
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Depay is, though, in contention to start this evening's crunch fixture against Poland - with Ronald Koeman's side potentially needing a point to finish in the top two depending on the result in the France versus Austria game.
As far as the back of Depay's shirt goes, fans will see him simply wear the word 'Memphis', instead of his surname.
He has used the same name throughout his career, and expanded on the reason why in a 2015 interview shortly after signing for Manchester United.
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He initially dropped his surname back in 2012, when he was 18 years old and in his second season at PSV Eindhoven.
The reason is due to his father Dennis, who walked out on the family when Memphis was just four years old.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Dutch forward explained: "Those things are a part of my life. It is not a part of football. It is a different thing. I have a life next to football.
"I have been through little situations. That makes me strong. I enjoy my tattoos, as you can see. I am the person I am. Everybody has to respect that."
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At international level, Memphis had the choice to represent Ghana - the country of his father's birth - or his mother's home country of Netherlands.
In 2015, his father claimed that he had not spoken to Depay personally since his son was 17.
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