Euro 2016: Dimitri Payet
Euro 2016: Dimitri Payet
Payet gives the hosts some French flair
West Ham's Dimitri Payet has, undoubtedly, been one of the stars of Euro 2016, so far. The hosts opened the tournament against Romania with a 2-1 win. France took the lead when Payet crossed for Arsenal's Olivier Giroud to score, but it looked like the French party was going to fall flat when Romania equalised, but nobody was going to prevent Payet from taking the glory. In the final minute, he got the winner with a fantastic shot from the edge of the box. In their second game, France beat Albania 2-0. It was harsh on the Albanians, who defended very well, but France got two goals in injury time, with Payet scoring with the last kick of the match. Payet was rested for the final group match, a 0-0 draw against Switzerland, but when he was introduced as a second-half substitute he nearly got the winner with a fantastic volley that hit the crossbar. Payet has taken his amazing Premier League form to the Euros, but can he take France all the way to the title?
"The emotion came out with that goal (against Romania). If someone had told me before that it would have gone like this, I would not have believed them." Dimitri Payet.
What were Payet's best moments in 2015/16?
An emotional Dimitri Payet following his winning goal against Romania.
Payet was in great form throughout the 2015/16 Premier League season. He scored 9 times and created more chances than any other Premier League player. Here are some of the key moments:
- 26th June: Dimitri Payet signs for West Ham from Marseille in France. The fee was £10.7 million
- 9th of August: Payet makes his debut for West Ham in a 2-0 win away to Arsenal.
- 15th of August: Payet scores his first goal for West Ham on his Premier League home debut.
- October: His first 10 matches for West Ham sees his new team beat Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
- February: He signs a new 5-year contract at West Ham.
- March: Named Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.
- May: Shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Season Award, named in the Premier League Team of the Season and wins West Ham's Player of the Season Award.
- June: Man of the Match in two of France's first three matches at Euro 2016.
What do we know about Dimitri Payet?
Payet had a sensational first season in the Premier League with West Ham.
Dmitri Payet was born on 29 March 1987 in Saint-Pierre on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Despite being nearly 10,000 kilometres from Paris and a 12-hour flight away, Reunion is an official region of France and is also part of the European Union and Euro. Payet's first football club, as a youth, was AS Saint-Pierre on Reunion, but when he was only 12 he moved to France to play in Le Havre's youth team. It wasn't a successful time and after four years he returned to Reunion. After a year back at home, Payet was given a second opportunity to play in France, with Nantes, and he took the opportunity with both hands. Over the following 10 years, Payet made 368 appearances in Ligue One for Nantes, Saint-Etienne, Lille and Marseille. In June 2015, Payet joined West Ham and in his first season in England, the midfielder scored 9 Premier League goals and helped the Hammers to seventh place n the Premier League as they booked a place in next season's Europa League.
"Eric Cantona, David Ginola and Thierry Henry are inspirations. I’m just starting, but who’s to say, one day I might be at their level." Dmitri Payet
Quiz
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What do you think?
We think Dimitri Payet has been the best player in the group stages at Euro 2016.
Do you agree? Which other players have done well? Which players have been disappointing?
Which match has been the most exciting at Euro 2016?
Have there been any surprising results? What are your predictions for the rest of the tournament?
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Comments
26/09/2024
points
I think that the best 2016 euro player is Cristiano Ronaldo by far. Not only because Portugal won the title, also because he scored plenty of goals and most of them were amazing.
26/09/2024 15:10
Luton Town
94
I think that the best 2016 euro player is Cristiano Ronaldo by far. Not only because Portugal won the title, also because he scored plenty of goals and most of them were amazing.
15/10/2022
points
Sentences
• I hope my jokes do not fall flat.
• Taking glory needs lots of efforts.,
• Media harshed on the politicians to announce real reason of inflation.
• Public opinion is not sure that leader can take the party all the way to the next election.
15/10/2022 18:36
Tottenham Hotspur
5560
Sentences
• I hope my jokes do not fall flat.
• Taking glory needs lots of efforts.,
• Media harshed on the politicians to announce real reason of inflation.
• Public opinion is not sure that leader can take the party all the way to the next election.
14/05/2020
points
England to lose from Iceland is such a shocking result indeed
14/05/2020 02:17
Manchester United
6539
England to lose from Iceland is such a shocking result indeed
14/05/2020
points
Portugal vs Iceland was a very exciting match
14/05/2020 02:16
Manchester United
6539
Portugal vs Iceland was a very exciting match
14/05/2020
points
Players like Payet and Hazard can change the game with just one touch so I strongly agree
14/05/2020 02:15
Manchester United
6539
Players like Payet and Hazard can change the game with just one touch so I strongly agree
13/12/2018
points
i like him because he is in france team
13/12/2018 14:01
Manchester United
229
i like him because he is in france team
23/07/2016
points
I think Iceland winning England was a big surprise.What a disappointing result for England.I think that Italy will win the Euro.
23/07/2016 21:25
Liverpool
3705
I think Iceland winning England was a big surprise.What a disappointing result for England.I think that Italy will win the Euro.
23/07/2016
points
I think it was the match between Portugal and Iceland.
23/07/2016 21:23
Liverpool
3705
I think it was the match between Portugal and Iceland.
23/07/2016
points
I agree with you, he played very well and led france to the round 16.
23/07/2016 21:23
Liverpool
3705
I agree with you, he played very well and led france to the round 16.
11/07/2016
points
Unfortunately payet couldn't perform at his peak in the final and had to be replaced
11/07/2016 05:33
Manchester United
4779
Unfortunately payet couldn't perform at his peak in the final and had to be replaced
03/07/2016
points
I didn't expect England to drop out so early,but it's so typical for the team,on the other hand...but,anyway,be beaten up by a team with the population over 300.000,just such a little island is awful.Harry Kane has spent a good season at Tottenham,but played horribly at Euro,to be honest...
03/07/2016 18:28
Arsenal
90
I didn't expect England to drop out so early,but it's so typical for the team,on the other hand...but,anyway,be beaten up by a team with the population over 300.000,just such a little island is awful.Harry Kane has spent a good season at Tottenham,but played horribly at Euro,to be honest...
04/07/2016
points
Hi Jane
Thanks for your comments and welcome to Premier Skills English!
Yes, England were very disappointing. It's a pity that Iceland couldn't go all the way to the final because it was an amazing story. I hope you enjoy the website.
Best wishes
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
04/07/2016 07:58
Liverpool
594
Hi Jane
Thanks for your comments and welcome to Premier Skills English!
Yes, England were very disappointing. It's a pity that Iceland couldn't go all the way to the final because it was an amazing story. I hope you enjoy the website.
Best wishes
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
05/07/2016
points
By the way,Iceland looked very worthy.As I remember,they are the only team scored in EVERY match.I'm looking forward to see them on World Cup 2018.
05/07/2016 13:51
Arsenal
90
By the way,Iceland looked very worthy.As I remember,they are the only team scored in EVERY match.I'm looking forward to see them on World Cup 2018.
03/07/2016
points
I think Germany wins eventually!!And the final is Germany-Wales(I hope for Portugal failing semi-finals))
03/07/2016 18:21
Arsenal
90
I think Germany wins eventually!!And the final is Germany-Wales(I hope for Portugal failing semi-finals))
03/07/2016
points
My favourite match at this Euro is Wales-Belgium,quarter-final.Wales amazingly has crashed out Belgium and is a team that has surprised many.In fact my favourites always lose(it's kinda a curse,ya),and Belgium was supposed to predictably win,but this Euro is so unpredictable,so you never know.
03/07/2016 18:19
Arsenal
90
My favourite match at this Euro is Wales-Belgium,quarter-final.Wales amazingly has crashed out Belgium and is a team that has surprised many.In fact my favourites always lose(it's kinda a curse,ya),and Belgium was supposed to predictably win,but this Euro is so unpredictable,so you never know.
03/07/2016
points
The biggest disappointments of the tournament are Kane,Ibrahimovic,probably Ronaldo(in spite of his goals in Hungary-Portugal,Portugal hasn't won a single match in the group and finished 3rd)
03/07/2016 18:12
Arsenal
90
The biggest disappointments of the tournament are Kane,Ibrahimovic,probably Ronaldo(in spite of his goals in Hungary-Portugal,Portugal hasn't won a single match in the group and finished 3rd)
03/07/2016
points
Completely agree Payet has been the best player in the group stages,regardless France doing not really well on Euro.As for me,Bale was incredible,as well as the other Wales' players(the most surprising and amazing team on the tournament,imo).
Griezmann's been also a useful player of the France squad.
03/07/2016 18:06
Arsenal
90
Completely agree Payet has been the best player in the group stages,regardless France doing not really well on Euro.As for me,Bale was incredible,as well as the other Wales' players(the most surprising and amazing team on the tournament,imo).
Griezmann's been also a useful player of the France squad.
28/06/2016
points
I totally agree Payet has been the best player in the group stages at the Euro.
Bonucci from Italy has done very well also. Zlatan and Ronaldo have been disappointing.
Hungary-Portugal was an exciting match.
Island is a good surprise. Italy, Belgium, Germany or France are my favourites.
28/06/2016 11:26
Arsenal
1
I totally agree Payet has been the best player in the group stages at the Euro.
Bonucci from Italy has done very well also. Zlatan and Ronaldo have been disappointing.
Hungary-Portugal was an exciting match.
Island is a good surprise. Italy, Belgium, Germany or France are my favourites.
28/06/2016
points
I didn't believe that is possible to happen, but it's football.
Iceland players played very brave last night and beat England.
Harry Kane played awful and I didn't expect that he can play on that low level.
I don't know why Roy Hodgson didn't call one of them: Cresswell, Antonio, Carroll or our captain Noble?
28/06/2016 07:43
West Ham United
538
I didn't believe that is possible to happen, but it's football.
Iceland players played very brave last night and beat England.
Harry Kane played awful and I didn't expect that he can play on that low level.
I don't know why Roy Hodgson didn't call one of them: Cresswell, Antonio, Carroll or our captain Noble?
28/06/2016
points
Hi Rema
I haven't seen you for a while. I hope you are well.
England's performance last night was really poor. It was quite depressing to see so many talented footballers playing so badly. Rooney in particular - I think it must have been the pressure of the captaincy. The only player that looked like he might have made a difference was the young Marcus Rashford, such a shame that he was brought on only minutes before the end.
Hopefully, the new manager will have the courage to see past the players and their salaries and try to build a team.
Thanks
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
28/06/2016 09:26
Arsenal
560
Hi Rema
I haven't seen you for a while. I hope you are well.
England's performance last night was really poor. It was quite depressing to see so many talented footballers playing so badly. Rooney in particular - I think it must have been the pressure of the captaincy. The only player that looked like he might have made a difference was the young Marcus Rashford, such a shame that he was brought on only minutes before the end.
Hopefully, the new manager will have the courage to see past the players and their salaries and try to build a team.
Thanks
Jack - The Premier Skills English Team
30/06/2016
points
@Jack
Long time no see. Yes, I'm well, thanks for your care. I hope that you're well, too.
I agree with you, Rashford was only bright dot in that game for England.
But, as you said it wasn't enough because he played a short period of time, just a few minutes.
For me biggest mistery was calling Wilshire in national squad?
No doubt, he is good player but long time he didn't play even for Arsenal...
30/06/2016 10:13
West Ham United
538
@Jack
Long time no see. Yes, I'm well, thanks for your care. I hope that you're well, too.
I agree with you, Rashford was only bright dot in that game for England.
But, as you said it wasn't enough because he played a short period of time, just a few minutes.
For me biggest mistery was calling Wilshire in national squad?
No doubt, he is good player but long time he didn't play even for Arsenal...
30/06/2016
points
Hi Rema
Yes, well ... it's all in the past now. Whoever takes over will have to make some radical changes (I hope).
30/06/2016 13:23
Arsenal
560
Hi Rema
Yes, well ... it's all in the past now. Whoever takes over will have to make some radical changes (I hope).
01/07/2016
points
Yes Jack, it's a past now and we can't change it.
01/07/2016 23:50
West Ham United
538
Yes Jack, it's a past now and we can't change it.
28/06/2016
points
I couldn't agree more mates, Dimitri has been the best and I hope that he will be the best at the end B)
I wish to him to accomplish that dream :)
28/06/2016 07:29
West Ham United
538
I couldn't agree more mates, Dimitri has been the best and I hope that he will be the best at the end B)
I wish to him to accomplish that dream :)
28/06/2016
points
Iceland have frozen England from the Euro 2016
28/06/2016 06:16
Manchester United
4779
Iceland have frozen England from the Euro 2016
28/06/2016
points
Ha ha - very good.
28/06/2016 09:34
Arsenal
560
Ha ha - very good.
27/06/2016
points
It's unfortunate for Messi to have lost 4 finals
27/06/2016 09:28
Manchester United
4779
It's unfortunate for Messi to have lost 4 finals
27/06/2016
points
Chile have beaten Argentina in the Copa America for the 2nd time in a row
27/06/2016 09:24
Manchester United
4779
Chile have beaten Argentina in the Copa America for the 2nd time in a row
25/06/2016
points
Poland are through to the last 8 on penalties
25/06/2016 19:56
Manchester United
4779
Poland are through to the last 8 on penalties
25/06/2016
points
Congratulations to Wales for being the 1st team to make it to the last 8
25/06/2016 19:54
Manchester United
4779
Congratulations to Wales for being the 1st team to make it to the last 8
25/06/2016
points
Croatia 1-1 Portugal and in the penalties Portugal will win.
25/06/2016 09:07
Liverpool
6578
Croatia 1-1 Portugal and in the penalties Portugal will win.
25/06/2016
points
Wales 2-1 Northern Ireland
25/06/2016 09:06
Liverpool
6578
Wales 2-1 Northern Ireland
25/06/2016
points
Switzerland 1-2 Poland
25/06/2016 09:05
Liverpool
6578
Switzerland 1-2 Poland
25/06/2016
points
West ham United might not be able to keep payet during the January transfer window that's if he is not signed on by another team this summer unless he decides to commit to the team. The offers will soon be blurring out.
25/06/2016 06:20
Manchester United
4779
West ham United might not be able to keep payet during the January transfer window that's if he is not signed on by another team this summer unless he decides to commit to the team. The offers will soon be blurring out.
25/06/2016
points
Yes Rich I think there was some fantastic football on display that day even thou it ended in a goalless draw
25/06/2016 05:06
Manchester United
4779
Yes Rich I think there was some fantastic football on display that day even thou it ended in a goalless draw
24/06/2016
points
I totally agree Payet is the best player so far. Walker as a right defender, Silva with Spain, Muller and Modric have done well during this group phase.
Zlatan was the most disappointing.
England in his third match against Northern Ireland was exciting although there was no goal. The best match was between Croatia and Portugal.
Island has been the more surprising team at this stage.
Spain will be out in the next knock-out stage. I'll not be surprised with this four teams in semi-finals : France, Croatia, Italy, Germany. England would be a joker.
24/06/2016 16:39
Manchester City
3988
I totally agree Payet is the best player so far. Walker as a right defender, Silva with Spain, Muller and Modric have done well during this group phase.
Zlatan was the most disappointing.
England in his third match against Northern Ireland was exciting although there was no goal. The best match was between Croatia and Portugal.
Island has been the more surprising team at this stage.
Spain will be out in the next knock-out stage. I'll not be surprised with this four teams in semi-finals : France, Croatia, Italy, Germany. England would be a joker.
24/06/2016
points
I may predict that the Trophy will get into the hands of Germany's, Italy's or Spain's captains.
24/06/2016 14:17
Liverpool
6578
I may predict that the Trophy will get into the hands of Germany's, Italy's or Spain's captains.
24/06/2016
points
The most surprises have been seen from Iceland, Hungary and Northern Ireland in a positive sense, and Russia, Ukraine and Czekh Republic in a negative one.
24/06/2016 14:14
Liverpool
6578
The most surprises have been seen from Iceland, Hungary and Northern Ireland in a positive sense, and Russia, Ukraine and Czekh Republic in a negative one.
24/06/2016
points
The most exciting match was, undoubtedly, Hungary v. Portugal.
24/06/2016 14:12
Liverpool
6578
The most exciting match was, undoubtedly, Hungary v. Portugal.
25/06/2016
points
Great use of the word 'undoubtedly'!
25/06/2016 19:52
Liverpool
594
Great use of the word 'undoubtedly'!
24/06/2016
points
Payet was immensely great in the group matches.
24/06/2016 14:10
Liverpool
6578
Payet was immensely great in the group matches.
24/06/2016
points
France 3-1 republic of Ireland
24/06/2016 06:15
Manchester United
4779
France 3-1 republic of Ireland
24/06/2016
points
Croatia 3-1 Portugal
24/06/2016 06:14
Manchester United
4779
Croatia 3-1 Portugal
24/06/2016
points
Wales 2-0 northern Ireland
24/06/2016 06:13
Manchester United
4779
Wales 2-0 northern Ireland
24/06/2016
points
Switzerland 2-1 Poland
24/06/2016 06:13
Manchester United
4779
Switzerland 2-1 Poland
24/06/2016
points
Most exciting match at the Euro 2016 is France vrs Switzerland
24/06/2016 06:12
Manchester United
4779
Most exciting match at the Euro 2016 is France vrs Switzerland
24/06/2016
points
Really?? It finished 0-0!!
24/06/2016 09:23
Liverpool
594
Really?? It finished 0-0!!
24/06/2016
points
My biggest surprise was with the Croatia - Spain match
24/06/2016 05:12
Manchester United
4779
My biggest surprise was with the Croatia - Spain match
24/06/2016
points
I agree that payet has been the best player in the group stages of the Euro 2016.
24/06/2016 05:11
Manchester United
4779
I agree that payet has been the best player in the group stages of the Euro 2016.
24/06/2016
points
Pogba has played very well too
24/06/2016 01:26
Manchester United
4779
Pogba has played very well too