From the top of its 64 selections, Memphis Depay promises to be one of the attractions of the Euro.
Leader of the Netherlands, the former Lyon striker is now free from any contract.
While the Catalan newspapers suggest that he could turn his back on FC Barcelona to get closer to PSG, the Dutchman did not wish to discuss his future at the club.
He showed a lot of confidence and ambitions for his selection, which faces the Netherlands on Sunday evening (9 p.m.).
He talks cash and does not hide his admiration for Kylian Mbappé.
In what state of mind do you approach your first Euro?
MEMPHIS DEPAY.
It promises to be amazing.
I feel, at the same time, a lot of excitement and impatience.
The only final phase in which I participated dates back to 2014, during the World Cup in Brazil.
To defend the colors of my country for a European Championship represents, in my eyes, a real happiness and a real pride.
For all these reasons, I can only hope for good things.
What are your favorites for the final victory?
There are several very strong selections.
I don't rank one above the others.
I am thinking of France, Belgium, Germany of course, Spain and England.
We too have strengths.
Happy to see the fans in the stadium yesterday 🧡 pic.twitter.com/ZRUZQt9pOJ
- Memphis Depay (@Memphis) June 7, 2021
In a group widely accessible with North Macedonia, Austria and Ukraine, does the first place seem promised to you?
Our goal, of course, is to finish first in our pool.
We will fight to achieve this first objective.
Beware, however, of overconfidence.
It won't be easy.
Ukraine, in particular, is a first adversary that should not be overlooked.
Read alsoEuro 2021: in Group C, the Netherlands a tone above
How do you welcome the partial return of the public to the stadiums?
At the end of March, we were already able to count on 5,000 people in Amsterdam to support us against Latvia.
At the Euro, there will be gauges.
It makes me a little sad not to be able to play in full speakers.
But it is a start, a real chance and also a message of hope.
It will give more motivation to all the teams.
Do you share the ambition of Frank de Boer eager to climb, at least, in the semi-finals?
We had failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia with a slightly different generation.
Now we are strong again.
If our journey is interrupted in the semifinals, that would already be pretty good.
But if it stretches a little more, then there ... I do not want to set a specific goal.
Let's take the matches one after the other.
It sounds like an agreed speech, but it has to work that way.
The first meetings will set the tone for the rest of our tournament.
You are the star of the Netherlands and a lot is expected of you.
Do you feel any form of pressure?
The pressure, I put it myself to be the best I can be.
I am impervious to anything that may be said about me outside.
I have faith in my team and in my partners.
And I will give my all to help win.
Many former great players like Marco Van Basten are raving about you.
Does that flatter you?
Of course, it's always nice to be recognized, even more so when the praise comes from our elders.
I am working hard to make it happen.
I can always improve in order to assert myself as a more important player for my country.
Memphis Depay made the 2017 Olympique Lyonnais happy until the end of last season.
LP / Arnaud Journois
Do you ever imagine yourself succeeding the golden generation of Van Basten and sacred Gullit in 1988?
I was not born 33 years ago.
But these legends are sources of inspiration for us.
Marks.
Their exploits of yesterday should guide us.
The Netherlands has occupied a great place in the history of our sport.
We are somewhat their heirs.
There is in our country a deep admiration for all these great names of the past.
They have largely contributed to spreading the popularity of football in the Kingdom.
How do you see the French team, the reigning world champion?
Everyone knows its value.
The Blues are clearly candidates for victory.
They also received the recent reinforcement from Karim Benzema.
But there are other very competitive selections.
Do the Blues seem even stronger to you with Benzema in their ranks?
He adds something to the team.
We are talking about one of the best scorers in the world.
Are you amazed by Kylian Mbappé?
What an extraordinary player!
At 22, he has already achieved great things in football.
It is always pleasant and interesting to watch him play, because he embodies a permanent danger for the opponent.
I rank him among the cracks.
It is a joy to see him grow and develop among the best.
