With a Christmas hat on his head, Dimitri Payet returned as a guest to the Vélodrome stadium last Sunday, on the sidelines of OM’s success against Clermont (2-1) in Ligue 1. Taking advantage of his private box, the former Marseillais returned home, to the Marseille city, to enjoy a family vacation as the end-of-year holidays approach. A brief break before returning to Brazil and returning to the pitch with Vasco da Gama, the legendary club he joined on August 13 at the age of 36.
Welcomed drunkenly at Rio airport by 5,000 Camisas Negras supporters, the French international (38 caps, 8 goals) took with him star status while Vasco was at its worst in Brazilian Serie A, stuck in 19th place with only 12 points taken during the first 17 days. Four months later, the club founded by rowers in 1898 snatched its place in the elite during the last match thanks to its home victory against RB Bragantino (2-1) on December 7. The Black and White, since Payet, have pocketed 33 points in 21 matches, the 6th best record in the championship over the period. Anything but a coincidence. “Payet is recognized as a key element in Vasco’s campaign to avoid relegation,” explains Vitor Seta, journalist following Vasco da Gama for the national newspaper O Globo. His offensive creativity, his vision of the game and his ball striking provided necessary qualities and a truly different profile compared to the other players in the team and in the championship.
A pure central playmaker, the former darling of the Vélodrome has nevertheless played most often on the left side of the Vasco system, at the heart of the intense football which is developing in Brazil. “The pace of the championship is accelerating more and more with a busy schedule,” explains Vitor Seta. Argentinian coach Ramón Díaz therefore adapted and his players had to reach a good physical level. Payet suffered at the start in this aspect, requiring athletic preparation and reduced playing time. Arriving short of form, the Réunionnais was managed sparingly to ultimately play 17 games, including seven starts, for two goals and an assist. Only two goals but two brilliant shots, which delighted the boiling São Januario stadium and its 24,500 supporters. His decisive shot against Fortaleza (1-0) was very expensive, as was his sublime free kick scored at the last second against the red lantern America MG (2-1).
If his leadership and his ability to “win difficult matches” counted according to Vitor Seta, it is above all his aura and the scope of such a transfer which revived Vasco, almost condemned this summer. “We had high expectations of Payet. And he gave us hope of remaining in the elite of Brazilian football, relishes Jonathan, a young supporter who shares his passion on the Jornal Vasco Instagram page. With his arrival, the team gained confidence and together, the players showed their value on the pitch. Alongside the Chilean Gary Medel, the Argentinian Pablo Vegetti, and the former Lille goalkeeper Léo Jardim, Payet rekindled the flame of remaining in Rio. With the number 10 on the back, a symbol that is anything but insignificant in the land of football.
By proudly wearing the “10”, he joins in the lineage of the greatest players that Vasco has known in its history, the Brazilians Juninho Paulista, Edmundo, Romário and especially Roberto Dinamite. Top scorer in the club’s history (708 goals in 21 seasons) and president between 2008 and 2014, the legend died of intestinal cancer on January 8, 2023, at the age of 68. An immense mourning for all the Vascaínos. “The idol Roberto Dinamite has a statue in São Januário,” says Vitor Seta. Payet paid tribute to him several times, a gesture very appreciated by the supporters who cheered him in the stands during the last match.
Known in Brazil for his compilations of nice goals and gestures made during the Euro in France, the 17th of the 2016 Ballon d’Or has already won hearts in Vasco, on and off the field. Like another Ligue 1 figure before him, also renowned for his class on the ball. “I was only 10 years old when Nenê arrived (in 2015 after his time at PSG between 2010 and 2013, Editor’s note) but I have always been a fan of Vasco! Nenê and Payet are the two players who gave me goosebumps when I saw them play,” compares Jonathan. The latest arrival from Marseille now wants to imitate his predecessor who passed through Paris, winner of the Rio championship in 2015 and 2016.
The next edition begins on January 17, Vasco will host Boavista. The opportunity for Payet to win a title, often mocked for his virgin record in France. “There is still a long way to go before reaching our beloved Dinamite but winning a trophy with number 10 would be an honor for him and for us fans,” dreams Vivian, who fell into the Camisas Negras pot thanks to passion from his father. An opinion shared by Vitor Seta: “A title would be incredible to validate Payet’s decision to come to Brazil and reward the passionate resilience of Vasco fans this season.”
The Carioca club has avoided the worst and now believes in better days. Since the owner 777 Partners, an American company also holding the Red Star in National, plans to invest heavily to perpetuate the team in Series A and on the continental scene. Other big names could then join Payet, now thriving on the other side of the Atlantic. “I still have a year and a half of contract. The head is doing very well, the main person told RMC this Wednesday. The hunger is still there, the pleasure is still there. I would like to play in the Copa Libertadores and I hope I will be here for a long time. The people of Vasco, seduced and grateful, also hope for it with all their hearts.
