Matchday 2 of the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro brings a special highlight: a face-off between Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho, two former FC Barcelona players who now lead Corinthians and Vasco da Gama, respectively.

Star Duel With Contrasting Momentum

Corinthians, coached by Ramón Díaz and recently crowned Paulistão champions, are looking to bounce back after a disappointing home loss to Huracán in the Copa Sudamericana. Memphis Depay delivered a quiet performance in that match, and the team is still without playmaker Rodrigo Garro, sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.

The São Paulo club also failed to impress in their league opener, drawing 1-1 with Bahia, a result that left fans uneasy given the packed upcoming schedule.

In contrast, Vasco da Gama arrive in better form. Under Fábio Carille, the Rio de Janeiro side earned a valuable draw against Melgar in their international debut and started their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Santos, courtesy of goals from Nuno Moreira and Pablo Vegetti.

Camp Nou Reunion in Brazil

Now on opposite sides, Memphis and Coutinho reunite in Brazilian football after having shared a locker room at Barcelona. The Dutch forward is just beginning his South American adventure, while Coutinho is seeking redemption on home soil after a string of inconsistent seasons in Europe. Both are expected to carry the offensive load for their respective teams.

Neymar’s Return Still on Hold

Meanwhile, another former Barça icon remains sidelined: Neymar Jr. The Brazilian star continues his recovery from an ACL tear sustained in 2023. Though he has signed with Santos until June, his much-anticipated return to action will take a few more weeks. Santos will face Bahia again in the league as they aim for their first points of the season.