Dimitri Payet

Payet was born in Saint-Pierre on the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean and began his career at local club AS Saint-Philippe.{{cite news | url = https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1313478.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101010123254/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1313478.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 10 October 2010 | title = Patience a virtue for Payet | date = 6 October 2010 | publisher=FIFA | access-date = 4 February 2011 }} While at the club as a youth, he was described by coaches as "a kid who stood out from his comrades" and, after three years of development training, moved to one of the best clubs on the island, JS Saint-Pierroise.{{cite news | url = http://www.linfo.re/-Sports-/Dimitri-Payet-ou-la-fierte-de-Saint-Philippe | title = Dimitri Payet ou la fierté de Saint Philippe | date = 1 October 2010 | work = Linfo | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 18 March 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120318002427/http://www.linfo.re/-Sports-/Dimitri-Payet-ou-la-fierte-de-Saint-Philippe | url-status = dead }} After only a year at Saint-Pierroise, Payet was signed by professional club Le Havre in metropolitan France, with whom his club shared a mutual partnership. Le Havre also recruited former Saint-Pierroise players Florent Sinama Pongolle and Guillaume Hoarau during this period.

While at Le Havre, Payet endured a tumultuous four years. While training at the club, he was accused of having a difficult character and displaying a lack of motivation.{{cite news|url=http://les.verts.pagesperso-orange.fr/nouv1011/octo2010/octo09.htm |title=Dimitri Payet réussit ses débuts en bleu face à la Roumanie |date=10 October 2010 |work=Les Verts |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721015248/http://les.verts.pagesperso-orange.fr/nouv1011/octo2010/octo09.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011 }} The accusations ultimately led to his departure in 2003 as Payet returned to Réunion to sign with AS Excelsior. He spent only a year and a half at Excelsior playing in the Réunion Premier League before being signed in January 2005 by Nantes who sought to give the player another opportunity to prove himself on the mainland. Payet signed a two-year amateur deal with the club; however, Nantes were given the option of terminating the contract after six months.

Upon his arrival at Nantes, Payet was placed in the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France Amateur, the fourth level of football in France. In the 2005–06 season, Payet quickly established himself as one of the best players on the reserve team. He impressed with the team in 22 matches scoring six goals and was described by the club's reserve team coach Stéphane Moreau as a "talented player despite his natural indifference".{{cite news|url=http://www.stat2foot.com/nopclubs/nantes20506.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715071714/http://www.stat2foot.com/nopclubs/nantes20506.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2009 |title=FC Nantes Reserve Pro 2005/2006 Saison |work=Stat 2 Foot |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr }}{{cite news | url = http://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2010/09/27/football-dimitri-payet-ou-l-ascension-verte_1416679_3242.html | title = Dimitri Payet ou l'ascension verte | date = 27 September 2010 |work=Le Monde |location=France | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr}} His influential play with the team resulted in the player being called up to the senior team in December 2005 by manager Serge Le Dizet. Payet made his professional debut on 19 December in a league match against Bordeaux appearing as a substitute in a 0–0 draw.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/49828 |title=Bordeaux v. Nantes Match Report |date=17 December 2005 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=18 September 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194548/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/49828 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} After the winter break, Payet remained with the senior team and scored his first professional goal in a 4–1 win over Metz. The midfielder appeared as a substitute in the match and had been on the field for no more than two minutes before netting the goal.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/49857 |title=Metz v. Nantes Match Report |date=21 January 2006 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=18 September 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194558/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/49857 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} After appearing in a league match against Toulouse on 4 February, Payet was relegated back to the reserve team for the rest of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuilleMatch.asp?saison=2005/2006&code_evt=D1&code_jr_tr=J23&num_ordre=5 |title=Metz v. Nantes Match Report |date=21 January 2006 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=18 September 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326010518/http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuilleMatch.asp?saison=2005%2F2006&code_evt=D1&code_jr_tr=J23&num_ordre=5 |archive-date=26 March 2007}}

Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Payet signed a three-year professional contract with Nantes. He was officially promoted to the senior team and assigned the number 31 shirt by Le Dizet. After appearing as a substitute in the first two matches of the season, Payet made his first professional start on 9 September 2006 in a league match against Lille. In the match, he scored the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50564 |title=Nantes v. Lille Match Report |date=9 September 2006 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194612/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50564 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} Two weeks later, Payet started again and scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win against Marseille.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50583 |title=Nantes v. Marseille Match Report |date=24 September 2006 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194636/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50583 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} Payet, subsequently, appeared as a starter for the rest of the campaign. He scored his only other goal during the season in a 1–1 draw with Sedan.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50634 |title=Sedan v. Nantes Match Report |date=4 November 2006 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194644/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50634 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} One dark spot during the campaign was a straight red card in an embarrassing 5–2 loss to Valenciennes.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50741 |title=Nantes v. Valenciennes Match Report |date=10 February 2007 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194731/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/50741 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} Despite the successful individual season by Payet, Nantes ultimately finished the season in 19th place and were relegated, which meant the club would play in Ligue 2 for the first time since 1963.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Following Nantes' relegation, Payet's desire to remain in the first division led the player to issuing a transfer request. The player was, subsequently, linked with Sochaux and Saint-Étienne. Payet ultimately decided to sign with Les Verts, stating the move to the club was a "straightforward logical answer" and that Saint-Étienne "can offer me the opportunity to play, which is a priority".{{cite news | url = http://payetenforce.skyrock.com/973350034-Dementi-interview-Dimitri-Payet.html | title = Démenti + interview Dimitri Payet | date = 8 June 2007 | work=Payet En Force | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr}} Payet ultimately succeeded in getting the move after agreeing to a four-year contract with the club ahead of the 2007–08 season. Nantes was compensated €4 million for the player.

In his first season at Saint-Étienne, Payet struggled to assert himself into the team. He made his club debut on 4 August 2007 in a 1–1 draw with Monaco. Despite being a starter for the majority of the campaign, Payet scored no goals and also failed to provide any assists. In a reversal of fortune, despite Payet's sub-par season, Saint-Étienne finished in fifth place, which meant qualification to the UEFA Cup. In the 2008–09 season, Payet return to the form that resulted in Saint-Étienne signing the player. Prior to the start of the season, he was given the honour of captaining Saint-Étienne during a friendly against the Réunion national team in the player's return to the island.{{cite news|url=http://wikiwix.com/cache/?url=http://www.lequotidien.re/actualites/les-verts-a-la-reunion/35905-foot--asse--payet-feindouno-les-inseparables-on-en-profite-au-maximum.html&title=%C2%AB%C2%A0Payet-Feindouno%C2%A0%3A%20%22On%20en%20profite%20au%20maximum%22%C2%A0%C2%BB |title=On en profite au maximum |date=21 May 2008 |work=Le Quotidien |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Payet appeared in 30 league matches scoring four goals and supplying six assists in the season. He scored his first league goal for the club on 29 September 2008 in a 1–1 draw with Bordeaux, netting the opener.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52297 |title=Bordeaux v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date=29 September 2008 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194759/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52297 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} In December 2008, he scored the game-winning goal against his former club Le Havre.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52368 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Le Havre Match Report |date=6 December 2008 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194808/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/52368 |archive-date=30 April 2012}}

Payet featured in European competition for the first time after playing in the 2008–09 edition of the UEFA Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 18 September in the first leg of the team's first round tie against Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv. On his debut, he scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win.{{cite news|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=2009/round=15284/match=303951/index.html |title=H. Tel Aviv v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date=18 September 2008 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120074743/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season%3D2009/round%3D15284/match%3D303951/index.html |archive-date=20 January 2016}} In the group stage, Payet scored a goal in a 3–1 win over Danish club Copenhagen.{{cite news|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=2009/round=15285/match=304180/index.html |title=Green energy means points for St-Etienne |date=23 October 2008 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120074744/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season%3D2009/round%3D15285/match%3D304180/index.html |archive-date=20 January 2016 }} In the knockout rounds, Payet was instrumental to the team's 5–2 aggregate victory over Greek club Olympiacos. In the first leg, he assisted on a goal in a 3–1 win, while in the second leg, he netted the opener in 2–1 positive result.{{cite news|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=2009/round=15286/match=304802/index.html |title=Olympiacos left green with envy by Les Verts |date=18 February 2009 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120074743/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season%3D2009/round%3D15286/match%3D304802/index.html |archive-date=20 January 2016 }}{{cite news|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=2009/round=15286/match=304818/index.html |title=Odds shorten after Les Verts' long shots |date=26 February 2009 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120074743/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season%3D2009/round%3D15286/match%3D304818/index.html |archive-date=20 January 2016 }} Saint-Étienne were eliminated from the competition in the next round by German club Werder Bremen, losing 3–2 on aggregate. Payet appeared as a substitute in both legs. Due to focusing its efforts on performing well in four competitions, Saint-Étienne finished one spot short of relegation in the league. On 22 July 2009, Payet signed a two-year contract extension with the club until 2013.{{cite news | url = http://www.mercato365.com/infos-clubs/saint-etienne/article_334779_Saint-Etienne-Payet-prolonge.shtml | title = Payet prolonge | date = 22 July 2009 | work = Mercato365 | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 4 February 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110204070053/http://www.mercato365.com/infos-clubs/saint-etienne/article_334779_Saint-Etienne-Payet-prolonge.shtml | url-status = dead }}

In the 2009–10 season, Payet remained consistent appearing in 35 league matches scoring two goals and providing six assists. He also performed well in the cup competitions, particularly in the Coupe de France. On 24 January 2010, he scored a double in 4–1 victory over Lorient.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/53585 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Lorient Match Report |date=24 January 2010 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823041358/http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/53585 |archive-date=23 August 2011}} Two weeks later, he scored the winner against Vannes.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/53625 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Vannes Match Report |date=10 February 2010 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823041448/http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/53625 |archive-date=23 August 2011}} Saint-Étienne ultimately reached the quarter-finals losing to Lens. On 18 May 2010, Payet was involved in a physical altercation with teammate and captain Blaise Matuidi during the team's 1–0 defeat to Toulouse.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/45036 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Toulouse Match Report |date=8 May 2010 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194842/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/45036 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} Midway through the first half, Payet received criticism from teammate Yohan Benalouane for displaying a lack of aggression. He was then confronted by Matuidi, who echoed Benalouane's sentiments. Payet and Matuidi suddenly went face-to-face with the former player delivering a blow to Matuidi's head before the two were separated by referee Bruno Coue and teammates.{{cite news | url = http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/sports/football/asse/article/3113500,256/ASSE-Il-ne-manquait-plus-que-ca.html | title = ASSE: "Il ne manquait plus que ça" | date = 10 May 2010 | work=Le Progrès | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr}}{{Dead link|date=June 2015}} As a result of the incident, Payet was substituted out after 31 minutes and sanctioned by club president Roland Romeyer.{{cite news | url = http://www.football365.fr/france/infos-clubs/saint-etienne/article_415740_Saint-Etienne-Payet-va-etre-sanctionne.shtml | title = Payet va être sanctionné | date = 12 May 2010 | work = Football365 | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215755/http://www.football365.fr/france/infos-clubs/saint-etienne/article_415740_Saint-Etienne-Payet-va-etre-sanctionne.shtml | url-status = dead }} Payet apologized for the incident shortly after. On 6 October 2010, following both Payet and Matuidi's call up to the national team, Payet described the incident as "an argument that had no place" and that "the incident was explained and the two were on new ground". Matuidi described the altercation as a "lack of maturity" on both players part.{{cite news | url = http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/129327/payet-et-matuidi-ont-fait-la-paix/ | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120910025215/http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/129327/payet-et-matuidi-ont-fait-la-paix/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = 10 September 2012 | title = Payet et Matuidi ont fait la paix | date = 6 October 2010 |publisher=RMC Sport | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr}}

After the summer, Payet put the past behind him and opened the 2010–11 season by scoring seven goals in the first two months of domestic play. On 7 August 2010, he scored in the team's opening 3–1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53629 |title=Paris Saint-Germain v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date=7 August 2010 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317112159/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53629 |archive-date=17 March 2012}} On 29 August 2010, Payet scored his first professional hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Lens.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/49875 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Lens Match Report |date=29 August 2010 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194903/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/49875 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} After the international break, he scored a double against Montpellier.{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53690 |title=Saint-Étienne v. Montpellier Match Report |date=18 September 2010 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194934/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53690 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} On 25 September, Payet delivered a perfect free-kick goal in the team's Derby du Rhône match against Lyon. The free-kick, described by local media as "superb and untouchable", was the only goal in the team's upset victory.{{cite news | url = http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/permalien/article/3848257/Dans-le-mille-pour-le-centieme.html | title = Dans le mille pour le centième | date = 26 September 2010 | work=Le Progrès | access-date = 4 February 2011 | language = fr}}{{Dead link|date=June 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53698 |title=Lyon v. Saint-Étienne Match Report |date=25 September 2010 |work=Ligue de Football Professionnel |access-date=4 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194950/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53698 |archive-date=30 April 2012}} The win placed Saint-Étienne in first place for the week. For his performances, Payet was awarded the UNFP Player of the Month award for September. Due to his performances domestically and international, Payet drew interest from several clubs, notably English clubs Chelsea and Liverpool.{{cite news | url = http://www.football.co.uk/aston_villa/liverpool_target_dimitri_payet_s_contract_talks_with_saint-etienne_break_down_rss1567281.shtml | title = Liverpool target Dimitri Payet's contract talks with Saint-Etienne break down | date = 20 January 2011 | work=Football.co.uk | access-date = 4 February 2011 }} In January 2011, he was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain as the Parisian club looked to immediately replace the departed Stéphane Sessègnon. Payet sought for the move, but Saint-Étienne refused. Ahead of the closure of the transfer window, a frustrated Payet failed to show up to training in an effort to force the transfer.{{cite news | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11814_6718549,00.html | title = Payet will be forgiven | date = 2 February 2011 | work=Sky Sports | access-date = 4 February 2011 }} After returning to the team days later, Payet was demoted to the club's reserve team ahead of the team's league match against Montpellier on 5 February 2011.{{cite news | url = https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQ11-oHIzz6RXXLA8pMkP_wrrtDw?docId=CNG.f7e7d21b588872cfa9a0189c30680503.6d1 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130124214723/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQ11-oHIzz6RXXLA8pMkP_wrrtDw?docId=CNG.f7e7d21b588872cfa9a0189c30680503.6d1 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 24 January 2013 | title = Payet dropped to Saint-Etienne reserves | date = 4 February 2011 | agency=Agence France-Presse | access-date = 4 February 2011 }}

Payet returned to Saint-Étienne's line-up for the following match against Lyon on 12 February. In his last 14 matches of 2010–11, Payet scored five goals and also registered a further three assists.{{cite news | url = http://www.lfp.fr/joueur/payet-dimitri | title = La fiche de Dimitri PAYET |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel | access-date = 26 April 2011 }} He ended the season with 13 goals, making him Les Verts' top scorer.{{cite news|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/payet-step-up-in-class.htm|title=Payet: 'Step up in class'|date=29 June 2011|publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel}}

File:Dimitri Payet (LOSC).JPG in 2012]]

On 28 June 2011, Saint-Étienne manager Christophe Galtier confirmed that Payet was on the verge of signing with the defending league champions Lille after the player himself informed him the previous day.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jegO3qlaIJmOGHNt01fmYKZ5qA7Q?docId=CNG.6c25a9c232d3cf119529fbaf534299e3.7b1 |title=Payet completes move to Lille |date=28 June 2011 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=28 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227123624/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jegO3qlaIJmOGHNt01fmYKZ5qA7Q?docId=CNG.6c25a9c232d3cf119529fbaf534299e3.7b1 |archive-date=27 February 2014 }} Hours later, the move was confirmed by both Saint-Étienne and Lille.{{cite news | url = http://www.losc.fr/actualite-foot-lille/infos-club/dimitri-payet-est-lillois-pour-les-quatre-prochaines-saisons | title = Dimitri Payet est Lillois pour les quatre prochaines saisons | date = 28 June 2011 | publisher = Lille OSC | access-date = 28 June 2011 | language = fr | archive-date = 14 June 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150614042226/http://www.losc.fr/actualite-foot-lille/infos-club/dimitri-payet-est-lillois-pour-les-quatre-prochaines-saisons | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | url = http://www.asse.fr/index.php?page=detail_actu&id=7635 | title = Christophe Galtier fait le point | date = 28 June 2011 |publisher=AS Saint-Étienne | access-date = 28 June 2011 | language = fr}} Payet agreed to a four-year contract, while the transfer fee was priced at €9 million with future incentives to be included later.{{cite news | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f2-0e78c6bc22b4-2237e06216cd-1000--ambitious-payet-agrees-four-year-lille-deal/ | title = Ambitious Payet agrees four-year Lille deal | date = 28 June 2011 |publisher=UEFA | access-date = 28 June 2011 }}

Payet debuted for Lille in a 5–4 Trophée des Champions loss to Marseille at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Morocco on 27 July 2011. His Ligue 1 debut for the club came in the 2011–12 season opener against Nancy on 6 August. On 15 October, Payet scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win at Auxerre.{{cite news|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/sport/un-coup-a-jouer-pour-lille-face-a-l-inter_1041576.html|title=Un coup à jouer pour Lille face à l'Inter|language=fr|date=17 October 2011|work=L'Express}} Three days later, Payet made his UEFA Champions League debut as a 62nd-minute substitute for Benoît Pedretti in Lille's 1–0 home loss to Italian club Internazionale.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportlive.it/calcio/lille-inter-tabellino-champions-league-18-ottobre-2011.html|title=Lille-Inter 0–1: nerazzurri corsari in Francia|language=it|date=18 October 2011|work=Sport Live Italia|access-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605112421/http://www.sportlive.it/calcio/lille-inter-tabellino-champions-league-18-ottobre-2011.html|archive-date=5 June 2016|url-status=dead}}

Payet ended his first season at Lille with six goals and six assists, starting in 23 of the team's 38 league matches.

In his second season at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, after the sale of Eden Hazard to Chelsea, Payet established himself as a regular in Lille's attack, starting all but one of the team's Ligue 1 matches. At the season's winter break, Payet was recognised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel as the league's highest assist-maker, with 7 in the team's 19 matches.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/article/dimitri-payet-nouveau-leader.htm|title=Dimitri Payet, Nouveau Leader|language=fr|date=24 December 2012|publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel}} He had also reached six goals at the halfway stage, having scored in each of Lille's three matches prior to the winter break.

On 18 May 2013, Payet was named in the UNFP's Ligue 1 team of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2013/05/18/trophees-unfp-ligue-zlatan-ibrahimovic_n_3298607.html|title=Le trophée UNFP de meilleur joueur de Ligue 1 décerné à Zlatan Ibrahimovic, les entraîneurs Carlo Ancelotti et Christophe Galiter ex-aequo|language=fr|date=18 May 2013|work=HuffPost}} He ended the season as the league's joint-top assist-maker, alongside Mathieu Valbuena, with 12 goals created.{{cite news|url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/classementPasseurs#sai=81&journee1=1&journee2=38&cat=G&poste=Tous|title=Classement officiel des Passeurs|language=fr|access-date=9 April 2016|publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel}} He also scored 12 league goals to register the second-highest scoring season of his career.

File:OM - FC Porto - Valais Cup 2013 - Dimitri Payet.jpg in 2013]]

On 27 June 2013, Marseille signed Payet for a fee in the region of €11 million. On his debut, he scored a brace within the first 15 minutes of the game, helping his side to a 3–1 victory over newcomers Guingamp at the Stade de Roudourou on 11 August.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1520105/dimitri-payet-double-marseille-beat-guingamp?cc=5901 |title=Payet brace as Marseille beat Guingamp |publisher=ESPNFC |date=11 August 2013 |access-date=11 August 2013 }}

In his second and final season with Marseille, Payet made more successful through-balls than any other player, with the exception of Lionel Messi, in European football's top five leagues. He made almost twice as many key passes as any other player, and made 17 assists in 36 league appearances, topping the Ligue 1 assist charts. Payet credited his excellent 2014–2015 Marseille season which transformed his career to Marcelo Bielsa, who was appointed the head coach of Marseille on a two-year contract in May 2014. "I clicked with him", he later told L'Équipe. "He made me more mature and consistent. He put order into my game. I still have his advice in my head."{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/June/26-June/Dimitri-Payet-signs! |title=Dimitri Payet signs! |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=27 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628193959/http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/June/26-June/Dimitri-Payet-signs%21 |archive-date=28 June 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/14/euro-2016-dimitri-payet-once-frustrated-france-now-he-enchants-t/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/14/euro-2016-dimitri-payet-once-frustrated-france-now-he-enchants-t/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Euro 2016: Dimitri Payet once frustrated France, now he enchants the nation|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=14 June 2016}}{{cbignore}} The key, according to Jan Van Winckel (who was Bielsa's assistant during the 2014–2015 season), was giving him the pivotal No. 10 role and making him the focal point of attacks. {{Pull quote|width=65%|"Bielsa was the first to recognise that Dimitri is a playmaker and not a winger. Dimitri is probably the best player in the world, together with Andrés Iniesta, with his back to the goal. He is so technically gifted and agile that it is almost impossible to get the ball from him. It is no coincidence that Dimi scored against Romania (at the Euro 2016 finals in France) when he was playing in a central role."

Jan van Winckel

}}

On 17 May 2015, he was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season by the UNFP for the second time.{{Cite news|url=http://www.psg.fr/en/News/101001/Breaking-News/71215/6-Parisians-in-the-team-of-the-season|title=6 Parisians in team of the season|date=17 May 2015|publisher=Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|access-date=9 April 2016|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118124355/https://www.psg.fr/en/News/101001/Breaking-News/71215/6-Parisians-in-the-team-of-the-season|url-status=dead}}

File:Dimitri Payet West Ham January 2016.jpg in 2016]]

On 26 June 2015, Payet joined Premier League club West Ham United on a five-year contract, with the option for an extra 12 months. The transfer fee West Ham paid to Marseille was reported to be £10.7 million. Payet had not intended to leave Marseille in the summer of 2015.{{Cite news|url=http://talksport.com/football/dimitri-payet-claims-he-was-forced-leave-marseille-west-ham-151013170270|title=Dimitri Payet claims he was forced to leave Marseille for West Ham|date=13 October 2015|publisher=Talksport}} Rather, his sale was subject to Marseille's concern with financial stability after the sale of players such as Florian Thauvin and Giannelli Imbula had stalled.{{Cite news|url=http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2015/west-ham-turning-a-corner-in-marseille-negotiations-for-dimitri-payet/|title=West Ham turning a corner in Marseille negotiations for Dimitri Payet|date=24 June 2015|work=Get French Football News}} On 9 August, he made his Premier League debut against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and provided the free kick assist for Cheikhou Kouyaté to head in the opening goal of a 2–0 win.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33750502|title=BBC Sport – Arsenal 0–2 West Ham United|author=Chris Osborne|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 August 2015}} Six days later, he scored his first goal for the team, albeit in a 1–2 home defeat to Leicester City.{{cite news|last1=Bevan|first1=Chris|title=West Ham 1–2 Leicester|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33832171|access-date=16 August 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2015}} Payet scored twice against Newcastle in a 2–0 win at the Boleyn Ground on 14 September.{{Cite news|title = West Ham United 2–0 Newcastle United|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34171138|publisher = BBC|access-date = 27 September 2015}} On 9 November, he was ruled out with an injury for an estimated three months after damaging his ankle in a tough challenge from Everton's James McCarthy in a 1–1 home draw on 7 November.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34771645 | title=Dimitri Payet: West Ham midfielder ruled out for three months | work=BBC Sport | date=9 November 2015 | access-date=10 November 2015}} He scored his first goal from his return from injury in a 3–1 comeback win against AFC Bournemouth on 12 January 2016, equalising with a curling hit free-kick that went in off the underside of the crossbar, which was praised by several pundits.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/barclays-premier-league/match/422464/afc-bournemouth-west-ham-united/report |title=Dimtri Payet and Enner Valencia score stunning free kicks in West Ham win |website=ESPN FC |date=12 January 2016 |access-date=12 January 2016 |agency=PA Sports}} His Man of the Match performance received a standing ovation from West Ham fans as he was substituted in the 78th minute for Alex Song.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35229728 | title=Bournemouth 1–3 West Ham | work=BBC Sport | access-date=13 January 2016}}

In February 2016, Payet signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with West Ham that would pay him £125,000 a week, committing him to the club until the summer of 2021.{{cite news|title=Dimitri Payet: West Ham midfielder extends contract until 2021|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35531360|access-date=12 February 2016}} That March, Payet was named the Premier League Player of the Year at the 2016 London Football Awards.{{cite news | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-star-dimitri-payet-named-player-of-the-year-at-the-2016-london-football-awards-a3195201.html | title=West Ham's Dimitri Payet named Player of the Year at the 2016 London Football Awards | work=London Evening Standard | date=4 March 2016 | access-date=4 March 2016 | author=Bhardwaj, Vaishali | location=London}} On 13 March, he scored a free kick, described by some journalists as "sublime" and "spectacular", from {{convert|35|yds|meters}} as West Ham drew 1–1 at Old Trafford against Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final.{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2172/fa-cup/2016/03/14/21290962/noble-im-worried-about-jinxing-payet | title=Noble: I'm worried about jinking Payet |website=Goal.com | access-date=18 March 2016}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35798800 | title=FA Cup: Dimitri Payet scores sublime free kick against Man Utd | work=BBC Sport | access-date=18 March 2016}}

Following an outstanding first season in English football, Payet was named Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards in March{{cite news |title=Payet wins Player of the Year award |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2016/march/03-march/payet-wins-player-year-award |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=3 March 2016}} and shortlisted by the Premier League for the 2016 PFA Players' Player of the Year Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/April/13-April/Payet-shortlisted-for-PFA-Player-of-the-Year |title=Payet shortlisted for PFA Player of the YearcWest Ham United |access-date=19 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416035617/http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/April/13-April/Payet-shortlisted-for-PFA-Player-of-the-Year |archive-date=16 April 2016 }} In May 2016, Payet became the 38th recipient of the West Ham United Player of the Year award.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/May/3-May/Payet-scoops-Hammer-of-the-Year-Award |title=Payet scoops Hammer of the Year Award |publisher=West Ham United |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508162154/http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/May/3-May/Payet-scoops-Hammer-of-the-Year-Award |archive-date= 8 May 2016 }}

Following an impressive spell of performances at Euro 2016, West Ham United awarded Payet with a £1,000,000 loyalty bonus in an attempt to pry interest away from other clubs. Payet was criticised for accepting this after his departure of the club during the following winter transfer window.{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-want-dimitri-payet-9715541 | title=West Ham want Payet to REPAY loyalty bonus before completing Marseille return | website=Daily Mirror | date=29 January 2017 }}

File:DimitriPayet2018.jpg

After the takeover by American businessman Frank McCourt,{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/10/17/ex-dodgers-owner-mccourt-buys-marseille-soccer-club/92297994/|title=Former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt buys Marseille soccer club|date=17 October 2016|work=USA Today}} Marseille introduced their "OM Champions" Project, one that would be fueled by a new influx of talent.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/marseille/story/2975106/marseille-can-become-future-french-european-champions-owner-frank-mccourt|title=Marseille can become French, European champions - owner McCourt|date=18 October 2016|work=ESPN FC}} This prompted the purchase of Morgan Sanson and Patrice Evra.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.us/story/3040942/marseille-seal-transfer-of-montpellier-midfielder-morgan-sanson|title=Marseille seal transfer of Montpellier midfielder Morgan Sanson|date=17 January 2017|work=ESPN FC}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/evra-returns-to-france.htm|title=Evra Returns to France|date=26 January 2017|work=Ligue1.com}} However, both the coaching staff and the Marseille board had been keen on bringing Payet back to the club since the beginning of 2017 January transfer window.{{cite news|url=http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2017/marseille-president-to-attempt-to-bring-dimitri-payet-back-this-month/|title=Marseille President to attempt to bring Dimitri Payet back this month|date=2 January 2017|work=Get French Football News}}

On 12 January 2017, West Ham United manager Slaven Bilić announced that Payet no longer wanted to play for the club.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38595765|title=Dimitri Payet does not want to play for West Ham, says Slaven Bilic|date=2017-01-12|work=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-16}} He then did not feature at all in the matchday squad on 14 January, despite no reported injuries.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38539427|title=West Ham United 3-0 Crystal Palace|date=2017-01-14|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-16}} At the London Stadium on that matchday, a mural installed in tribute to Payet winning Player of the Year was guarded by security in order to "prevent it being vandalised".{{cite news|work=ITV News|date=14 January 2017|title=Premier League report: West Ham 3-0 Crystal Palace}} Payet was subsequently the subject of two bids from his previous club Marseille which were both rejected by West Ham. They stated that they did not want to sell the player, but would prefer him to apologise to fans and continue playing for the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38643225|title=Dimitri Payet: West Ham reject Marseille's improved bid|date=2017-01-16|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-16}} On 29 January, West Ham accepted an offer of £25 million from Marseille for the transfer of Payet, marking a club record sale for West Ham.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/dimitri-payet-marseille-west-ham-sold-sell-25m-fee-a7551706.html|title=West Ham confirm £25m deal to sell Dimitri Payet to Marseille|last=Lovett|first=Samuel|date=29 January 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=10 May 2017}} The day after Payet completed his move to Marseille, his mural at the London Stadium was removed and replaced with one to commemorate Andy Carroll's bicycle kick goal against Crystal Palace scored earlier in the month.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/january/31-january/work-begins-new-stadium-mural|title=New Andy Carroll mural unveiled |publisher=West Ham United F.C.}}

Payet made his second Marseille debut in a 2016–17 Coupe de France clash with Lyon on 31 January 2017, appearing as a substitute in extra time at the Stade Vélodrome as his new club won 2–1.{{cite news|title=West Ham rebel Dimitri Payet felt 'chills' as he made second Marseille debut at Stade Velodrome|first=Tom|last=Dutton|date=1 February 2017|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=4 February 2017|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-rebel-dimitri-payet-felt-chills-as-he-made-second-marseille-debut-at-stade-velodrome-a3455176.html}} On 8 February, Payet scored his first goal since returning to OM in a 2–0 home victory over Guingamp.{{cite news|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/dimitri-payet-feeling-good-after-first-goal-for-marseille-since-leaving-west-ham_sto6053178/story.shtml|title=Dimitri Payet feeling good after first goal for Marseille since leaving West Ham|date=10 February 2017|work=Eurosport}}

On 3 May 2018, Payet played in the Europa League semi-finals away to Red Bull Salzburg as Marseille played out a 1–2 away loss but secured a 3–2 aggregate win to secure a place in the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43998194|title=FC Red Bull Salzburg 2–1 Marseille|work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2018|access-date=3 May 2018}} During the Europa League Final against Atlético Madrid, Payet suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted in the 32nd minute of the first half, leaving the field in tears. Marseille would go on to lose 3–0.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44113764|title=Europa League final: Marseille 0–3 Atletico Madrid|date=16 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}

On 10 August 2018, during Marseille's 4–0 victory over Toulouse, Payet scored the first two goals of the 2018–19 Ligue 1 season, the second of which was a converted penalty awarded using video assistant refereeing (VAR) technology; the first usage of VAR in French football.{{cite news|title=Dimitri Payet: Marseille midfielder scores first VAR penalty in Ligue 1|work=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2018|access-date=11 August 2018|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45151638}}

File:Lens - Marseille (22-01-2022) 18.jpg

Payet and the Marseille squad were involved in an altercation with the opposing crowd in Nice on 22 August 2021. After being struck by what appeared to be a plastic bottle thrown by a fan, Payet threw the bottle back into the crowd. Nice fans then invaded the pitch, causing some fans and players to assault each other, resulting in Payet and two other players being injured.{{cite magazine |last1=Coleman |first1=Madeline |title=OGC Nice Fans Storm Field After Hitting Payet With Bottle, Clash With Players |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/08/22/fans-storm-field-after-hitting-dimitri-payet-with-bottle-marseille-nice |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=24 August 2021}}{{cite news |title=Nice 1-0 Marseille: Match abandoned after fans storm pitch |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58301034 |access-date=24 August 2021}} In November 2021, a match between Lyon and Marseille was abandoned after a water bottle thrown by a fan hit Payet on the head as he was preparing to take a corner kick.{{Cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Lyon-Marseille game abandoned after water bottle hits Payet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2021/11/21/payet-hit-by-water-bottle-lyon-marseille-game-suspended/49415697/ |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=USA Today}}

On 21 July 2023, Marseille president Pablo Longoria and Dimitri Payet announced during a press conference a mutual agreement to depart as a free agent.{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Dimitri-payet-quitte-l-om/1409453|title=Dimitri Payet quitte l'OM|trans-title=Dimitri Payet leaves OM|language=fr|publisher=L'Équipe|date=21 July 2023|access-date=21 July 2023}}

On 17 August 2023, Payet joined Brazilian Série A side Vasco da Gama on a two-year contract.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=De contrato assinado, Vasco anuncia contratação de Dimitri Payet |url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/vasco/noticia/2023/08/17/payet-assina-contrato-e-vasco-prepara-anuncio-do-novo-reforco.ghtml |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=ge |language=pt-br}} On 3 September, he made his debut on a 1–1 away draw against Bahia.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-04 |title=Bola parada, chances e elogios do professor: como foi a estreia de Payet pelo Vasco |url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/vasco/noticia/2023/09/04/bola-parada-chances-e-elogios-do-professor-como-foi-a-estreia-de-payet-pelo-vasco.ghtml |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=ge |language=pt-br}} He regularly appeared on lineups thereafter, scoring his first goal on 18 October against Fortaleza, securing the 1–0 win in São Januário and pushing Vasco out of the relegation zone. He was awarded Man of the Match prize for his performance.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=Vasco 1 x 0 Fortaleza {{!}} Campeonato Brasileiro: melhores momentos |url=https://ge.globo.com/rj/futebol/brasileirao-serie-a/jogo/18-10-2023/vasco-fortaleza.ghtml |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=ge |language=pt-br}} On 12 November, Payet scored a free-kick on extra-time to secure a 2–1 league victory at home to América Mineiro.{{Cite web |date=13 November 2023 |title=VÍDEO: Vasco da Gama vence com golaço de Payet aos 90+4 |trans-title=VIDEO: Vasco da Gama wins with wondergoal by Payet on the 90+4th minute |url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/internacional/incrivel/video-vasco-da-gama-vence-com-golaco-de-payet-aos-90-4 |access-date=13 November 2023 |website=Maisfutebol |language=pt-pt}}

Payet is a former French under-21 international. He made his debut for the team in February 2007 in a friendly match against Switzerland, and assisted a Jérémy Ménez goal. In the team's ensuing match against Denmark, he scored a double in a 3–1 win.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

File:Dimitri Payet - France v Armenia.jpg in 2014]]

Payet was called up to the senior national team for the first time by Laurent Blanc for the Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Romania and Luxembourg. He made his debut in the former on 9 October 2010, coming on as a substitute for Karim Benzema in the 86th minute and assisted Yoann Gourcuff's goal to make it 2–0.{{cite web | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/france-vs-romania/report/212251 | title=Remy rescues France | publisher=Sky Sports| access-date=27 June 2015}} Three days later, he came on for the last 30 minutes against Luxembourg and again assisted Gourcuff for a goal.{{cite web | url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/sport/france-luxembourg-l-express-rejoue-le-match_927337.html | title=France-Luxembourg: L'Express rejoue le match | work=L'Express | date=13 October 2010 | access-date=27 June 2015 | language=fr}}

Payet scored his first goal on 7 June 2015, coming on for Mathieu Valbuena in the 73rd minute to net France's third goal 16 minutes later, in a 4–3 home friendly defeat by Belgium.{{cite news|title=Impressive Belgium beat France|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7ff48c1fea-2ab17d64d5a0-1000--impressive-belgium-beat-france/|access-date=7 June 2015|publisher=UEFA|date=7 June 2015}} Six days later, Payet was substituted at half-time in a 1–0 away friendly defeat by Albania. Having been absent from the French squad since then, Payet was recalled in March 2016 for a squad to play the Netherlands and Russia.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35834875 | title=N'Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet named in latest France squad | work=BBC Sport | date=17 March 2016 | access-date=18 March 2016}} His performance on 25 March in a 3–2 win against the Netherlands in Amsterdam was praised by manager Didier Deschamps. Payet hit the post with a second-half shot and created six chances, more than double any other player. He also had the most touches of any player, with 89.{{cite web | url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2016/03/26/france-coach-deschamps-thrilled-payet-performance | title=France boss Didier Deschamps praised the performance of Dimitri Payet after their dramatic 3–2 win over Netherlands in Amsterdam. | publisher=The WorldGame | date=26 March 2016 | access-date=26 March 2016}} Four days later, with his first touch after replacing Antoine Griezmann, he scored a 30-yard free kick against Russia and later assisted Kingsley Coman to confirm a 4–2 win.{{cite news|title=France 4–2 Russia|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35913461|access-date=29 March 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=29 March 2016}}

In May 2016, Payet was named in the France squad for Euro 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/7134/euro-2016/2016/05/12/23440272/payet-kante-included-in-france-squad-for-euro-2016-as | title=Payet & Kante included in France squad for Euro 2016 as Schneiderlin misses out |website=Goal.com | date=12 May 2016 | access-date=13 May 2016}} He was named the Man of the Match for scoring a goal, laying on an assist, creating eight scoring chances and delivering 13 crosses in the opening match of Euro 2016, on 10 June, a 2–1 win for France against Romania. In that match, Olivier Giroud headed Payet's cross into the goal in the 57th minute and Payet scored France's second goal in the 89th minute — a curling and powerful left-footed shot into the top corner from {{convert|2|metres|yards}} outside the penalty box.{{cite news |last=Kell|first=Tom|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d81749e107a-b8910b3cfc0d-1000--payet-stunner-gives-euro-2016-hosts-france-opening-group-/|title=Payet stunner gives hosts France opening win|date=10 June 2016|access-date=14 June 2016|publisher=UEFA}}

In France's second group match against Albania on 15 June, Payet was again named the Man of the Match for creating six scoring chances for his teammates and supplying 17 crosses. In that match, Payet scored the second goal for France in a 2–0 win, the goal coming in the 96th minute.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36475991|title= France 2 Albania 0|date=15 June 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 June 2016}}{{cite news |last=Harrison|first=Wayne|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d81a4585c23-65a2d997312d-1000--last-gasp-france-defeat-albania-in-group-a-to-reach-euro/|title=Last-gasp France defeat Albania to reach last 16|date=15 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016|publisher=UEFA|location=Marseille}}{{cite web | url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d819a54bdf4-c65b3297c478-1000--player-barometer-payet-cements-no1-spot/|title=Player Barometer: Payet cements No1 spot|publisher=UEFA |date=16 June 2016}} On 3 July, he scored and assisted in a 5–2 quarter-final win over Iceland at the Stade de France, as the hosts advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament.{{cite news|last1=Fletcher|first1=Paul|title=France 5–2 Iceland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36632457|access-date=3 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2016}} In the final of the tournament on 10 July, Payet was involved in a collision with Cristiano Ronaldo while attempting to challenge him for the ball, which resulted in an injury to the Portuguese forward and forced him off after 25 minutes of play. Payet was later substituted and Portugal eventually won the match 1–0 in extra time to lift the trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/portugal/story/2910804/portugal-striker-cristiano-ronaldo-forced-off-injured-in-euro-2016-final|title=Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo forced off injured in Euro 2016 final|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=10 July 2016|date=10 July 2016}}

Payet sustained an injury during the 2018 UEFA Europa League final, which resulted in him missing out on France's ultimately victorious 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.{{cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-france-deschamps-idUKKCN1II2ST|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210041215/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-france-deschamps-idUKKCN1II2ST|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 December 2018|title=Injured Payet misses out on World Cup, Lacazette omitted|last=Pretot|first=Julien|date=17 May 2018|work=Reuters|access-date=4 May 2019}} Payet was not personally informed about his omission by manager Didier Deschamps; according to his mother, he "found out watching on television like everyone else, with the family".{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2018-dimitri-payets-mother-slams-france-boss-didier-deschamps-after-excluding-him-from-squad-4476349.html|title=FIFA World Cup 2018: Dimitri Payet's mother slams France boss Didier Deschamps after excluding him from squad|date=20 May 2018|website=Firstpost|access-date=4 May 2019}}

{{updated|match played 15 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/dimitri-payet/1394/|title=D. Payet|website=Soccerway|access-date=31 July 2015}}

{{notelist}}

:France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Payet goal

AS Excelsior

• Coupe de la Réunion: 2004{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Marseille

• UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/44052050|title=Atletico Madrid win Europa League with 3-0 victory over Marseille|date=10 May 2018|work=BBC Sport}}

France

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2016{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2017907--portugal-vs-france/ |title=Final: Portugal 1–0 France: Overview |publisher=UEFA |access-date=23 December 2020}}

Individual

• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2012–13, 2014–15,{{cite web|title=UNFP : Trophées UNFP du football Un TGV Lyon-Paris via Troyes... |url=http://www.unfp.org/a-la-une/article/un-tgv-lyon-paris-via-troyes-17052015-8833.html |website=UNFP |access-date=14 October 2015 |date=17 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907120010/http://www.unfp.org/a-la-une/article/un-tgv-lyon-paris-via-troyes-17052015-8833.html |archive-date= 7 September 2015}} 2021–22{{cite news |title=L'équipe type de la saison de Ligue 1 aux trophées UNFP avec un trio d'attaque Terrier-Ben Yedder-Mbappé |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/L-equipe-type-de-la-saison-de-ligue-1-aux-trophees-unfp-avec-un-trio-d-attaque-terrier-ben-yedder-mbappe/1333260 |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=L'Équipe |date=15 May 2022 |language=fr}}
• Marseille Player of the Season: 2014–15, 2021–22{{cite news |date=24 May 2022 |title=Dimitri Payet, Olympien de la saison 2021-22 |language=French |website=Olympique de Marseille |url=https://www.om.fr/fr/video/4803/equipe-pro/64933-dimitri-payet-olympien-de-la-saison-2021-22 |access-date=24 May 2022}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 Premier League{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36106596 |title=PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team |work=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2016 |access-date=7 May 2018}}
• West Ham United Hammer of the Year: 2015–16{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/May/3-May/Payet-scoops-Hammer-of-the-Year-Award |title=Payet scoops Hammer of the Year Award |date=3 May 2016 |access-date=10 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609004204/http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/May/3-May/Payet-scoops-Hammer-of-the-Year-Award |archive-date= 9 June 2016 }}
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016{{cite news|title=UEFA EURO 2016 Team of the Tournament revealed |url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0286-1932648cbbd6-015b5937ebfc-1000--uefa-euro-2016-team-of-the-tournament/ |publisher=UEFA |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=11 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716200525/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid%3D2389933.html |archive-date=16 July 2016}}
• Premier League Goal of the Month: October 2016{{cite news|title="Payet wins Carling Goal of the Month"|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/139364|publisher=Premier League|access-date=10 February 2017}}
• UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0245-0e98cea4ee1c-d6da1165e8ef-1000--uefa-europa-league-squad-of-the-2017-18-season/|title=UEFA Europa League Squad of the 2017/18 Season |publisher=UEFA |date=17 May 2018}}
• UEFA Europa Conference League Team of the Season: 2021–22{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/news/0275-153e65400aef-d187391175f1-1000--team-of-the-season/|title=2021/22 Europa Conference League Team of the Season |publisher=UEFA |date=27 May 2022 |access-date=27 May 2022}}

Orders

• Knight of the National Order of Merit: 2022{{cite journal |date=21 June 2022 |title=Décret du 20 juin 2022 portant promotion et nomination dans l'ordre national du Mérite |trans-title=Decree of 20 June 2022 on promotion and appointment to the National Order of Merit |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000045940273 |journal=Journal officiel de la République française |trans-journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=2022 |issue=142 |id=PRER2203733D |access-date=18 March 2025 |language=fr}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{FIFA player}}

{{CR Vasco da Gama squad}}

{{France squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| fg = navy

| bg = gold

| list1 =

{{2012–13 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}

{{2014–15 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}

{{2021–22 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}

{{2015–16 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{UEFA Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament}}

{{Olympique de Marseille Player of the Season}}

{{West Ham United F.C. Hammer of the Year}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Payet, Dimitri}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Saint-Pierre, Réunion

Category:Men's footballers from Réunion

Category:French men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:JS Saint-Pierroise players

Category:AS Excelsior players

Category:FC Nantes players

Category:AS Saint-Étienne players

Category:Lille OSC players

Category:Olympique de Marseille players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:CR Vasco da Gama players

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Premier League players

Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players

Category:France men's under-21 international footballers

Category:France men's international footballers

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:French expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Brazil

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Brazil

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Black French sportspeople

Category:Knights of the Ordre national du Mérite

Category:21st-century French sportsmen