Marseille launched Dimitri Payet! left with tears

French footballer Dimitri Payet could not hold back his tears when he announced that he would be leaving Marseille.

The 36-year-old is leaving as an independent transfer, although he has expressed hope of staying at the team where he spent most of his career. Payet was enjoying his second term in the French national team. He signed for £25 million from West Ham in 2017.

Previously, he had two seasons between 2013 and 2015. The attacking midfielder played 326 games in his entire career for Marseille, contributing 78 goals and 95 assists.

Payet, who failed to curry favor with Igor Tudor last season, was waiting with Croatian coach Marcelino. Speaking a few weeks ago, Payet said: “I want to walk out the club’s front door and I have goals that keep me awake even at 36. “I can’t stop until I win something with the club,” he said.

Dimitri Payet, crying after announcing that he will leave OM.

@Steph13Freedpic.twitter.com/rdHHmfXT7P

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2023

‘THE STAFF IS TOO MUCH’

However, he said club president Pablo Longoria told him there was a surplus after an “honest, open and sincere” speech.

The duo held an emotional press conference. In the meeting, Longoria stated that the decision “was not easy.” Payet also announced that he turned down the offer to stay on the technical team because he wanted to keep playing.

Longoria stated that this offer is still open and said: “This is not goodbye, it means seeing you again… Marseille is your home.”

Talent pure endowed with a rare elegance, the number 10 of l’OM marked the club for its classetechnic, its buts and its passes that ont inspired all of the olympiennes et d’olympiens generation.

L’ensemble du club souhaite à Dimitri Payet, ainsi… pic.twitter.com/1JAYweOxNA

— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) July 21, 2023