Footballing magician calls it quits

In an era of football supermen, where stamina and strength have more influence than technical abilities and creativity, the last remains of some ‘good all times’ are slowly ending their careers. One of them is certainly Dimitri Payet, who announced through tears at the Stade Velodrome that he was retiring at the age of 39. A large part of the football world was hit by a wave of nostalgia, diving into Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to relive the magic from the workshop of one of the greatest number 10s in Ligue 1 history.

A legend of French football, but also a hero of the small London streets—those most often walked by fans of West Ham United. The 2015/16 season remains one of the most memorable individual campaigns in Premier League history. Not statistically, but in terms of sheer impact. There wasn’t a team in England that didn’t fear Payet’s unpredictability. Sending defenders to the ground, breaking ankles, rabonas, outrageous free kicks, and thunderbolt strikes…

Football fans won’t forget the moment he crossed his legs and served Michail Antonio a tap-in at the far post, the stunning curler against Crystal Palace, or when he danced past half the team of Middlesbrough as if they were training cones. What some may have forgotten, however, is that he finished 17th in the Ballon d'Or rankings that year. His wild career included countless goals worthy of the Puskas Award—though he never won it—just as he never collected many major team trophies. He came close with France at UEFA Euro 2016, but fell short in the final. Still, his greatest achievement lies in how he will be remembered. And even statistically, his numbers are impressive.

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When it’s all said and done: 781 professional matches (for Excelsior AC, FC Nantes, AS Saint-Etienne, LOSC Lille, Olympique de Marseille, West Ham United, and Vasco da Gama), 157 goals and 168 assists. A Ligue 1 record-holder for assists and the first player in the league’s history to register 100+ goals and 100+ assists. That was Dimitri Payet—a man whose football, even years from now, will still bring a smile to your face.