Dimitri Payet announces retirement at 38 | OneFootball

Former France international attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet (38) has officially called time on his footballing career. The 38-year-old has announced his retirement from the game on Ligue 1+ – the league’s official streaming platform – during the half-time of today’s game between two of his former clubs, Marseille and Lille.

A teary-eyed Payet took the time to acknowledge everyone who played a part in his 20 year-long career. “It’s the end of a beautiful journey. Thank you to everyone who took part in it. Thank you to my coaches, to my teammates and to everyone who worked with me.“

Payet played 492 games in Ligue 1 with four clubs, Nantes, Lille, Saint-Etienne and Marseille – a club he rejoined after a remarkable spell at West Ham United. Payet featured 38 times for France’s national team, scoring eight international games. He was a free agent following the termination of his Vasco de Gama contract.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval