BLOW FOR DUTCH STAR DEPAY AT EUROS - CLUB SIDE ATLéTICO RELEASE HIM

Netherlands striker Memphis Depay has been released by club side Atlético Madrid, just two days before his side's Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Romania.

Spaniard Mario Hermoso and Brazilian Gabriel Paulista are also leaving the club on free transfers, Atléti said in a statement.

Depay, 30, only moved there from Barcelona in January 2023.

He has been constantly criticized as club and national level for not fulfilling his promise.

However, Depay could replace Robin van Persie as the Oranje's record all-time goalscorer at this tournament. He is four goals short of the record of 50 and is set to start in Ronald Koeman's team against Romania on Tuesday.

"I can handle criticism well. I'm used to it," Depay told a news conference at the Dutch team's headquarters in Wolfsburg on Sunday.

"The coach's trust is important to me. I feel it and want to repay him."

2024-06-30T11:37:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd