Legends
Happy Birthday Dimitri Payet!
Payet made his professional debut in Ligue 1 McDonald's with FC Nantes, making 39 total appearances during his three years with the club. After their relegation at the end of the 2006-07 season, he joined AS Saint-Étienne.
During this time with Les Verts, Payet began turning himself into a household name. The attacking midfielder made 148 appearances across all competitions, scoring 25 goals and 32 assists. After five years with ASSE, Payet moved to LOSC Lille.
Payet continued his impressive offensive output at Lille, recording 19 goals and 29 assists in 95 total appearances. Following three years with Les Dougues, he moved to Marseille for his first stint with the club in 2022 he spoke with UEFA to explain his reasoning for joining Les Olympiens in 2013.
"[I was expecting] a significant challenge. I was expecting to join a big club, the biggest French club, with everything that goes with that: the fans’ expectations and the daily pressure."
"Also, the fact that I’d have to play with that in mind and earn my place in a well-put-together squad at the time, too."
He spent three years with Les Phocéens before moving abroad for the first time in his professional career and joining West Ham. After three years in East London, Payet returned to OM for a second stint.
Over his two tenures with OM, Payet made 326 appearances across all competitions while scoring 78 goals and recording 95 goals. In that same interview with UEFA, the former Marseille standout revealed his growth, going from a young player to being one of the veterans upon his return to OM.
"I’ve been through so much in the last 10-15 years. I don’t think I was as good when I was 20 as I am today, because I wasn’t experienced, mature or cunning enough, but I grew up because I got it wrong."
"I made mistakes, I fell several times and it allowed me to become stronger mentally, to be calmer and to deal with situations differently. I’m not a captain at heart. What has made me wear the armband is time and experience."
After leaving Marseille in 2023, Payet went to play abroad again, but he left Europe entirely to play in Brazil for the Rio de Janeiro-based club Vasco da Gama. He has 70 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and recording 11 assists.
Joyeux anniversaire, Dimitri!
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