Memphis Depay is not part of the match selection of Barcelona, which will face Osasuna on Tuesday evening. The LaLiga match was the last opportunity for the the Dutch international to gain match rhythm for the World Cup in Qatar. However, Memphis has been sidelined since September with a hamstring injury and appears not to have recovered in time for the meeting with los Rojilos.
On September 22, Memphis was injured in the Nations League match between the Netherlands and Poland. Since then, the attacker has not played for his country or club and missed the duels with Athletic Club, Bayern Munich, Valencia, Viktoria Plzen and Almeria. Not being able to play in the last few games is the most discontent at Barcelona, as according to various Spanish media someone should normally be able to recover from a similar hamstring injury within five weeks.
At the press conference leading up to the LaLiga game against Osasuna, Xavi reacted to the injuries of Memphis and Jules Koundé. “They both have minor injuries and are still suffering. They are not yet able to play for us. It is not a precaution for the World Cup.” With the lack in the match selection, Memphis has to start the final tournament without a match rhythm.The the Dutch squad opens the World Cup in more than two weeks with the game against Senegal and later also plays against Ecuador and host country Qatar.
Memphis reacted strongly to the rumors of ‘time wasting’ in his rehabilitation last Friday. “I hear disrespectful rumors that I am deliberately delaying my recovery,” the Barca attacker said in a statement on Twitter. “The media shares this stuff so easily without knowing the facts, creating a negative narrative around my name. Never doubt my professionalism!”, he concluded his message on the social medium. Not only in the Spanish media, but also by Dick Advocaat it was suggested that the Barcelona attacker is taking more time than necessary to recover.
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