Dimitri Payet officially announced the end of his professional career this Sunday at halftime of OM vs. LOSC, in a moment filled with emotion.
He broke down in tears. Under the rain at the Vélodrome, Dimitri Payet surprised everyone by announcing his retirement at the age of 38, speaking to Ligue1+. The former OM captain, visibly moved, brought to a close a career spanning more than 20 years. “You’ll still see me, but on padel courts. Today, on the eve of my 39th birthday, I officially announce that I am retiring as a professional footballer,” he said, before thanking everyone who played a part in his journey: “It has truly been something exceptional for me (…) Thank you to everyone who contributed to this.”
A heartfelt farewell to Marseille
“Thank you for all the love over 10 years”: his message to OM. Having played for Nantes, Saint-Étienne, Lille, West Ham, and Vasco da Gama, Payet will above all remain a legend at OM, where he spent nearly a decade.
Deeply attached to the Marseille club, he even refused to return to Ligue 1 with another team: “I couldn’t come back and play against OM, it wasn’t emotionally possible for me (…) Thank you for all the love over 10 years (…) and go OM.”
Grande séquence émotions sur Ligue 1+ 🥹
La légende de Ligue 1, 𝑫𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒓𝒊 𝑷𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒕, annonce en exclusivité au micro de @SmaBouabdellah la fin de sa très riche carrière 👏 pic.twitter.com/iTnp42KBVe
— L1+ (@ligue1plus) March 22, 2026
A chapter closes for one of the most impactful players in the club’s recent history.
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