Dimitri Payet Retires from Football at Age 38

Dimitri Payet, a former star for West Ham United and the French national team, announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38 during a live interview on French television. Payet, who became a cult figure in the Premier League during his two seasons with West Ham from July 2015 to January 2017, is best known for his devastating set-piece prowess and dribbling skills, having scored 15 goals and provided 22 assists in 60 appearances for the club.

He represented several teams including Saint-Étienne, Nantes, Lille, Marseille, and Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, where he left in July of the previous year. Payet, who won 38 caps for France and reached the final of Euro 2016, stated he did not want to be part of a project unless he could give 100 percent.

His retirement coincided with his 39th birthday, and he faced off-field issues, including a complaint lodged against him regarding a romantic relationship in Brazil.