Depay Makes History: Breaks Van Persie's Dutch Goal Record

Netherlands' all-time leading scorer — Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay breaks Robin van Persie's record to become the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer.

The Dutch record for most goals was held by Robin van Persie after he scored a hat-trick against Hungary on October 11, 2013...

Memphis Depay has made history by becoming the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer with 51 international goals, surpassing Robin van Persie's record of 50 goals. He achieved this feat by scoring a crucial goal in the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, acrobatically converting a cross from Cody Gakpo.

Memphis Depay had previously equaled Van Persie's record with a brace against Malta in June, scoring two goals in the Netherlands' 8-0 win. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't find the net again in that match, but he didn't wait long to break the record. Earlier this week, he had another opportunity to score against Poland but wasn't successful.

The 31-year-old striker's journey to the top spot has been impressive. He's played a pivotal role in the Netherlands' World Cup qualification campaign and has consistently demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess. Notably, Depay achieved the record in the same number of international appearances as Van Persie, showcasing his skill and dedication to the sport.

Memphis tied Wesley Sneijder's Dutch all-time assists record against Poland with a pass to Denzel Dumfries that led to the game's opening goal.

MEMPHIS, 𝐀𝐋𝐋-𝐓𝚰𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑! 🦁🇳🇱#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/81wrdx5aEk

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 7, 2025

The Dutch record for most goals was held by Robin van Persie after he scored a hat-trick against Hungary on October 11, 2013. This achievement broke Patrick Kluivert's record; Kluivert scored 40 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands national team between 1994 and 2004. Kluivert is the fourth-highest goalscorer for the Netherlands and had held the record until Van Persie surpassed him.

Memphis Depay's Long Oranje Career

Memphis Depay's international career with the Netherlands began with a notable impact. He scored his first goal for the Netherlands national team during the 2014 World Cup, netting a crucial long-range shot in a 3-2 win over Australia. This marked the beginning of his successful stint with Oranje.

Depay made his debut for the Netherlands under Louis van Gaal in October 2013, coming on as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Turkey. He then scored his second goal in the subsequent group stage match against Chile, showcasing his early potential with the national team.

HISTORY WRITTEN. ⚽️🇳🇱#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/3jBa7TDbuH

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 7, 2025

After Robin van Persie's international retirement in 2017, Memphis Depay transitioned from a left winger to a striker during a challenging period for the Netherlands, who failed to qualify for both EURO 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. This positional shift proved successful, as Depay's scoring form improved significantly. In his first 15 games as the main striker, he scored eight goals, matching the total he had scored in his first 35 appearances for the Netherlands. This change showcased Depay's adaptability and goal-scoring ability in a new role.

Memphis Depay made history in 2021 by scoring 17 goals in a single calendar year, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a Netherlands international in a year. This achievement surpassed Patrick Kluivert's previous record of 12 goals. Depay's impressive performance included 12 goals in World Cup qualifying matches, 2 goals in Euro 2020 appearances, and 3 goals in friendly matches.

Depay reached another milestone in March 2025, breaking the barrier of 100 Oranje caps during the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie against Spain. Although the Netherlands lost on penalties, Depay became the tenth player in Dutch history to achieve this feat, solidifying his legacy as one of the country's most capped players.

Key Highlights of Memphis Depay's Career:

• Debut: October 2013, Netherlands vs. Turkey

• First Goal: 2014 World Cup, Netherlands vs. Australia

• Notable Achievement: Became the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer with 51 goals, surpassing Robin van Persie's record

• Awards and Recognition: Named in the Netherlands' squad for UEFA Euro 2024, played a pivotal role in the team's World Cup qualification campaign.