Zakaria Labyad is presented by Corinthians and details Memphis Depay’s influence on the deal

Corinthians made the presentation of Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad official this Tuesday (24), in a press conference held at Centro of Treinamento Joaquim Grava. The player arrives as a strategic reinforcement for the squad led by the black and white technical committee, bringing international experience and a history of playing in major Europa clubs. Durante In his first official speech as an athlete for the São Paulo club, the midfielder detailed the behind-the-scenes of the negotiations and the factors that influenced his decision to play in Brazilian football this season.

The athlete’s arrival is part of a technical expansion plan that the football department has been carrying out to strengthen the midfield. Labyad signed a contract after undergoing routine medical examinations and has already started the integration process with his new teammates at the club’s facilities. The board’s expectation is that the player offers tactical versatility, being able to play in different offensive roles according to the needs of upcoming clashes in current competitions.

The process of adapting Zakaria Labyad to the Corinthians environment has the following support points:

• Constant dialogue with foreign athletes who are already part of the current squad.
• Support from the physiology team to accelerate optimal fitness.
• Previous knowledge of Brazilian football culture through former teammates from European clubs.
• Individualized tactical monitoring to understand the coach’s game model.

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Behind the scenes at the presentation of the new Timão reinforcements! 🏴🏳#WelcomeAllan#WelcomeZakaria#VaiCorinthians pic.twitter.com/ZfGRRrXygn

—Corinthians (@Corinthians)February 24, 2026

Influence of Memphis Depay on the athlete’s decision

The presence of Dutch striker Memphis Depay in the Corinthians squad was one of the fundamental pillars for Zakaria Labyad to accept the challenge of wearing the Timão shirt. The new reinforcement revealed that he maintained frequent contact with the number 94 before completing the bureaucratic procedures and traveling to São Paulo. Segundo the Moroccan, the information given by his colleague about the club’s structure and the positive pressure from the fans were decisive in increasing his confidence in the sporting project presented by the current management.

The two players have a long-standing history, having started their professional career together in the youth teams of PSV Eindhoven, in Holanda. Essa relação de amizade e entrosamento dentro de campo é vista como um trunfo para que ambos possam render o máximo tecnicamente no futebol sul-americano. Labyad highlighted that the constant evolution of Corinthians in recent years was a central topic in his conversations with Memphis, consolidating the desire to be part of this new stage of the institution.

Memories of the partnership with Cássio in Dutch football

Another notable point of the presentation press conference was the mention of goalkeeper Cássio, a historical idol of Fiel who currently defends the colors of Cruzeiro. Labyad recalled in detail the period in which he shared the dressing room with the archer at PSV, emphasizing how the Brazilian was fundamental in the beginning of his professional career. At the time, just 16 years old, the Moroccan midfielder received guidance and direct support from Cássio, who already demonstrated the characteristic leadership that made him famous years later at Brasil.

O meia relatou que a convivência durou cerca de três anos, período em que estabeleceram uma conexão sólida de amizade e respeito mútuo. Zakaria recalled, in a relaxed tone, that the training sessions were intense and that Cássio demonstrated innate competitiveness, being visibly upset when conceding goals during technical activities. Essa proximity to Brazilians throughout his time at Europa, including names like Jonathan Reis and David Neres, facilitated his understanding of the lifestyle and mentality of players born at Brasil.

Physical preparation and schedule for the debut

When asked about his current physical condition, Zakaria Labyad was transparent in stating that he is in an intensive process of regaining his game rhythm. The athlete revealed that he has been working dedicatedly for around two weeks at CT Joaquim Grava, focusing on strength and aerobic endurance exercises. As he is an experienced player and has spent time in demanding leagues such as Eredivisie and Primeira Liga of Portugal, he highlighted that he knows his body’s limits and responses to high load stimuli well.

The technical committee and medical department monitor the player’s performance data daily to avoid any risk of early muscle injury. Labyad demonstrated optimism when projecting his availability to be listed by the coach, indicating that he should be ready to take the field next week. Esse period allows him to carry out some more ball training with the main group, improving the tactical and technical rapport necessary to withstand the intensity of the official matches on the national calendar.

International experience and spells at big clubs

Zakaria Labyad’s CV is made up of experiences in high-ranking clubs on the European scene, which brings a different technical background to the Corinthians squad. Além from PSV Eindhoven, where he was revealed and won important titles at Holanda, the midfielder had significant spells at Sporting, from Essa trajectory allowed him to develop an accurate reading of the game and a finishing ability that can be exploited in closed game situations.

In Portugal, the athlete had the opportunity to experience a league with intense physical characteristics, which prepared him for the clashes he will encounter in Campeonato Brasileiro and in the continental cups. No Ajax, the player refined his passing technique and positioning, elements that are pillars of the Dutch game philosophy and which he now intends to apply in Parque São Jorge. The cultural diversity faced in his previous clubs is cited by the athlete as a facilitator for his rapid social integration on Brazilian soil, where he feels welcome from the first day.

Structure of the Centro of Treinamento and reception at the Brasil

The modernity of the facilities at CT Joaquim Grava was praised by the new reinforcement, which compared the black and white structure with the best centers of excellence at Europa. Labyad mentioned that the technology available for athlete recovery and high-quality training camps offer all the conditions for a professional to perform their best role. Para him, the club’s investment in infrastructure is a direct reflection of the institution’s greatness and commitment to seeking significant results on all fronts.

The warm welcome from the staff, members of the coaching staff and other players was also a point highlighted by the Moroccan. Ele highlighted that Brazilians’ joy and willingness to help foreigners make the work environment lighter and more productive. Zakaria stated that he feels at home and that the positive energy found at the club is extra fuel for him to dedicate himself to the maximum in preparatory training before his official debut in front of the fans.

Technical projections for the rest of the season

Corinthians plans to use Zakaria Labyad as a link between the midfield and the attack, taking advantage of his vision of the game to serve the center forwards. The athlete’s versatility allows him to be deployed both centrally and on the wings, offering varied strategic options for the team’s tactical scheme. With the Brazilian calendar being one of the densest in world football, having a player with this ability to adapt is considered an important differentiator for maintaining performance at a high level.

The expectation of sports analysts is that the partnership between Labyad and If both manage to replicate the chemistry they showed at other times in their careers, Corinthians’s offensive sector will gain a significant increase in terms of creativity and finishing power. The player’s full focus now remains on completing his fitness so that he can contribute effectively within the four lines as quickly as possible.

Technical profile and game characteristics of the reinforcement

Zakaria Labyad is known for his refined ball handling technique and ability to execute long-distance shots with precision. Sua hitting the ball is also a valuable resource in free kicks and corners, something that Corinthians seeks to improve to increase its effectiveness in set pieces. Além In addition, the midfielder has good mobility to float between the opposing defensive lines, looking for empty spaces to receive the pass and initiate dangerous plays in the last third of the field.

Throughout his career, the Moroccan player has demonstrated that he is a collective athlete, prioritizing tactical positioning in favor of team balance. Sua experience in competitions such as Champions League and Europa League gives him the necessary calm to deal with moments of high pressure during matches. Essa maturity will be tested in the intense atmosphere of Brazilian stadiums, where the demand for results is constant and the level of competitiveness is high in all matches played.