Depay back for the Netherlands in the Nations League matchup against Spain

Coach Ronald Koeman picked forward Memphis Depay for the Netherlands’ Nations League quarterfinal match against Spain on Friday, marking his first appearance in the team since the European Championship last year.

Koeman traveled to Brazil last month to observe Depay play for Corinthians of Rio de Janeiro, which led to Depay’s return.

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After his contract with Atletico Madrid expired last season, the 31-year-old striker was left without a club and finally started playing again in October. Despite scoring twice in 12 starts in Brazil, he has been a mainstay of the Dutch team for a long time because to his 46 goals in 98 games.

Depay is just four goals away from breaking Robin van Persie’s record for most goals scored for his country.

With 12 Premier League goals this season for Bournemouth, Justin Kluivert, who rejoined the Dutch team in November, maintains his spot.

The 25-year-old earned his third cap over six years after making his first two international appearances in 2018 when still a teenage sensation at Ajax Amsterdam. He played 66 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League group phase.

After Nathan Ake and Stefan de Vrij suffered injuries, Koeman added Mathijs de Ligt, a defender for Manchester United, to the final 24-man roster after leaving him out of his preliminary selection two weeks ago.

Inter Milan’s De Vrij pulled out during the warm-up, missing his team’s Champions League victory over Feyenoord on Tuesday, while Manchester City’s Ake remains out following surgery last week for a fractured left foot.

De Ligt’s team defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday, advancing them to the Europa League quarterfinals.

Next Thursday, the Dutch will host Spain at De Kuip in Rotterdam for the opening leg of their last-eight match. Three days later, they will play again in Valencia.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), and Mark Flekken (Brentford)

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Mathijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), and Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax Amsterdam), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), and Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

Forwards: Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Brian Brobbey (Ajax Amsterdam), and Cody Gakpo (Liverpool).