Atletico striker Memphis Depay in the Netherlands squad for friendlies against Scotland, Germany
Atletico Madrid's Memphis Depay, left, runs with the ball past Inter Milan's Yann Aurel Bisseck during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Days after his late goal helped Atlético Madrid reach the Champions League quarterfinals, striker Memphis Depay was named in the Netherlands squad after a year out of international action due to a series of injuries.
Depay has scored 44 goals in 88 internationals, second only to Robin van Persie's 50 goals for Oranje.
Also returning to the Dutch squad after a year is midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, the former Liverpool star who now plays for Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. Wijnaldum is one of the most experienced players in the squad, with 90 internationals to his name.
The 26-player squad was announced for friendlies against Scotland and Germany ahead of the summer's European Championship in Germany.
Making his debut in Ronald Koeman's squad alongside the two returning veterans was Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber.
Traditional Dutch powerhouse Ajax, struggling in the Eredivisie this season and hit by injuries to key players, provided only one player to the squad, striker Brian Brobbey.
The Netherlands plays Scotland on March 22 in Amsterdam and travels to Frankfurt to face Germany four days later.
Atletico Madrid's Memphis Depay, left, is challenged by Inter Milan's Yann Aurel Bisseck during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Netherlands:
Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (Brest), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Quilindschy Hartman (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan).
Atletico Madrid's Memphis Depay celebrates with fans and teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
Midfielders: Daley Blind (Girona) ,Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Joey Veerman (PSV), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord) en Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq).
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atlético Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Xavi Simons (Leipzig), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim).
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