Memphis Depay Defends Music Video Amid Corinthians Controversy

Memphis Depay has moved to defend his latest music video after scenes of Corinthians' headquarters engulfed in flames sparked outrage in Brazil, insisting the imagery is "just art" and not a call to violence.

The Netherlands international, who has been at the centre of a contract storm with the São Paulo giants, released the video for his track Don't Panic just a day after helping Corinthians reach the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores. The timing alone poured fuel on an already volatile situation around the club.

In the clip, Depay is shown watching Parque São Jorge, Corinthians' administrative centre, burning. The visuals land only days after a tense stand-off over his future: last week the club chose not to renew his deal, only for the former Manchester United forward to agree a "significant" pay cut on Tuesday to remain with the team.

The lyrics add another layer. Depay never names names, but he talks about "rivals" and pointedly raps: "I know a vice-president who is now my enemy." In a club already riven by internal anger, that line hits a nerve.

Corinthians fans have been staging protests against the club's ownership amid mounting financial and governance concerns. With further demonstrations expected, the video dropped into a powder keg.

Depay tried to get ahead of the backlash. Posting on social media, he stressed the project was shot "months ago" and urged calm around any fan action, saying he hoped for a peaceful protest where supporters could express themselves "calmly". He doubled down on the artistic defence, insisting his music is "just art" and not a reflection of what he wants to see on the streets.

Addressing the most inflammatory image of all – the club’s headquarters in flames – the Dutchman underlined that he is "fully against any type of violence of all kind".

The goals, the pay cut, the vice-president jibe, the burning building on screen: at Corinthians, the lines between football, politics and performance have rarely felt thinner.