Dimitri Payet two matches from first career title, while without a club | OneFootball

At 38, Dimitri Payet could finally lift the first title of his career this weekend, despite being without a club. Vasco da Gama, his former club, face Corinthians in the Brazil Cup final.

According to L'Équipe, Vasco reached the showpiece this week by knocking out Fluminense on penalties. They finished 14th in the last league campaign.

The first leg is on Thursday, with the return on Sunday. Victory would deliver the club's first trophy since the Rio state title in 2016.

Payet had a small role in this cup run, coming off the bench in the opening ties against Uniao Rondonopolis, D5, 3-0, then Nova Iguaçu-RJ, D4, 3-0. That limited involvement would still see him officially credited as a winner if Vasco prevail.

He left the club six months ago after a complaint, and was then placed under formal investigation by his former lover for physical and psychological violence.

Beyond winning the Réunion Cup with AS Excelsior in 2004 at 17, he has not lifted a major professional trophy. Near-misses include the 2018 Europa League final with Marseille, lost 0-3 to Atlético Madrid, and Trophées des champions defeats in 2011 and 2020, 4-5 and 1-2.

He also played in France’s Euro 2016 final loss to Portugal, 0-1 after extra time, and finished Ligue 1 runner-up with Marseille in 2020 and 2022. He has reached several semi-finals, including the 2022 Europa Conference League against Feyenoord, 2-3 then 0-0.

Source: L'Équipe