The Frenchman left West Ham United in acrimonious circumstances in January.
Marseille’s Dimitri Payet
During an exclusive interview with French media outlet L’Equipe, former Hammers star Dimitri Payet insisted that his former teammates understood his behaviour and actions during his final weeks with the club, and shared how he even received messages of congratulations after his wonder goal against Lorient last week.
The 29-year-old eventually left West Ham for former club Marseille, after a long drawn out saga, for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million, and the manner in which he behaved tarnished his reputation, not just from a Hammers perspective, but across the entire country.
But Payet spoke to L’Equipe, disputing claims that he was a hate-figure amongst his former teammates, and explained how they instead totally understood his actions:
“Most of my former teammates understood my behaviour… even if the form was rather brutal. West Ham players have even supported me, and there are still those who congratulated me for my goal against Lorient.”
Dimitri Payet during his West Ham days
The France international then went on to discuss his relationship with the Hammers fans, admitting that he will never forget the support he was shown:
“It’s normal. They hated me as much as they loved me. That’s why the reactions were as violent. I cannot blame them. For a year and a half, they have given a lot to me and I will never forget.”
Payet has already shown his class since moving back to France, scoring three goals in eight appearances for Marseille.
His exit from West Ham was inevitable, but it is just a shame that so many good memories will be forever tarnished by how he instigated his move away from the club.
Dimitri Payet during his time with West Ham
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