2023-07-21 16:59:03
Olympique de Marseille will release its midfielder and ex-captain Dimitri Payet, 36, from his last year of contract. The end of a story that began a decade ago, strong in passion but without a title.
Published on: 07/21/2023 – 16:59
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« Thank you captain! “, published the Marseille club on its official website, shortly after a short press conference by President Pablo Longoria announcing the news alongside the N.10, in tears. ” We have decided not to continue the adventure together with our captain “, an element ” very important in the history of this club “, announced the Spanish leader.
Having to stop several times to control his emotions, the darling of the Vélodrome assured that he wanted to ” keep playing “, despite his 36 years. He will give himself time » to make his decision, not hiding his frustration after a « very difficult season with little playing time “. As he emerged from a full and successful exercise under the orders of Jorge Sampaoli (2021-2022), the midfielder was quickly downgraded by his successor, now ex-club coach, Igor Tudor: he appeared only 26 times (11 starts, 4 goals) last season, generally grabbing a few minutes at the end of matches.
« I thank my teammates, my presidents, my coaches and all those who have been there to ensure that I am always well, always in good shape, my family of course, and OM, because OM is my family. “said the Reunionese.
« Dimitri, you are a very important part of the history of this club. You inspired a generation of OM supporters, with many very good moments, great victories, shared moments “, greeted Pablo Longoria.
In nine seasons (2013-2015 then 2017 to 2023) interspersed with an interlude in the Premier League at West Ham, and 326 matches, the player will have scored 78 goals and given 95 assists in the Olympian jersey. ” A performance, reflecting the imprint he will leave forever within our club and our championship, of which he is the best passer in history “, welcomed the club, with which he however won no title.
Boiling character
One of his biggest regrets will undoubtedly remain his thigh injury in the 2018 Europa League final against Atletico Madrid, forcing him to leave his teammates after 30 minutes. He will lose big: not only the “small European Cup”, won 3-0 by the Spanish club, but also a probable call for the World Cup, won by the Blues, with whom he has 38 caps and 8 goals. Blues with whom he had shone at the start of Euro-2016, with in particular a superb goal to snatch victory against Romania.
His character, sometimes hot, often lodger, has always blended with Marseille DNA, until he became the target of opposing supporters. In 2021, he suffered a bottle throw against Lyon after being attacked by an OGC Nice supporter a few weeks earlier.
Moreover, his end of the season last year was chaotic: for having inflicted a slap in the face of Yannick Cahuzac, assistant to Lensois coach Franck Haise, during the 34th day of Ligue 1, he had been sanctioned with three matches of suspension firm, plus two suspended.
« Marseille for life »
The N.10 had therefore made its last appearance in the jersey of OM against Angers, at Vél ‘, coming into play in the 48th minute of the match, on May 14, during the 35th day of L1.
His departure from the club, if it can be understood sportingly for a player whose integration into the probable 4-4-2 of the new coach Marcelino seemed complicated, may however surprise, Payet having initialed in 2020 a contract of “Marseillais for life”.
Signed by former president Jacques-Henri Eyraud and ensuring him a retraining at the club at its end, in June 2024, this commitment had never thrilled the current management team led by the Spaniard Longoria.
But the latter did not seem to close the door to a return from Dimitri Payet, far from it: “ It’s not a goodbye, but a see you soon. You got the club doors wide open “, he promised her.
(With AFP)
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A pure talent endowed with a rare elegance, OM’s number 10 marked the club with his technical class, his goals and his assists which inspired a whole generation of Olympians.
The whole club wishes Dimitri Payet, as well… pic.twitter.com/1JAYweOxNA
– Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) July 21, 2023
#Olympique #Marseille #Dimitri #Payet