Fans are losing patience with Dimitri Payet

In football, things can happen very quickly. And Dimitri Payet is experiencing this in Rio de Janeiro. Until now, the Vasco da Gama attacking midfielder had been relatively immune to criticism. A star recruit for the Carioca team before the arrival of Philippe Coutinho, the 37-year-old player had a hectic weekend. A starter in the quarter-final first leg of the Brazilian Cup last Friday against Athletico Paranaense, Payet was the target of much criticism from Vasco supporters, who even booed him when he came off in the 72nd minute, despite his team’s victory (2-1).

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“Payet shameful”, “Perhaps Payet’s worst game with the Vasco jersey. He made a great move for Piton. Apart from that, he did everything wrong”, “Payet left the Vasco match against Athletico-PR being booed in São Januário. He’s a fucking unique player, but today he was sleeping on the pitch”could be read on social networks the same evening of the match. And that’s not all since Payet was mainly attacked because of a statistic and… his salary. “Payet, who earns 1.5 million Brazilian reals (around €160,000, editor’s note) at Vasco, has not scored a goal or provided an assist since May.”titled Bolavip.

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Payet finally decisive

The media outlet points out, however, that the Reunion Islander has participated in 62% of Vasco’s goals and that he is especially active in preparing key actions and passes. The only problem is that the fans are not sensitive to this and want to see him make the decisive move. A message that the Frenchman has received well. Yesterday, during the match counting for the 25th day of the Brasileirão, Vasco won 1-0 against Vitoria thanks to a goal from João Victor, well served by… Payet. His first assist of the season. Substitute at kick-off, the former Marseillais may have calmed things down.

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His coach, Rafael Paiva, in any case recalled that his number 10 remained a fundamental part of his team. “He is extremely important for us. He was coming off a run where he started matches and played them in their entirety. We cannot risk losing Payet, because he is a player who makes a lot of technical differences. Today (yesterday), we took the decision to rest him at the start of the match, but we know that when he comes on, our technical level improves and it is a shame that this goal did not go in, because it shows the quality and the ease with which he can do things.” To be confirmed.