Dimitri Payet

“I have kids, so I can understand the image that footballers have. They are fans of some players; I see in their eyes. They admire and try to imitate their gestures, their words, their celebrations. They love Ronaldo and Messi. Since Euro 2016, though, they have no right to pronounce the name of Ronaldo!”

“When you come to a place like Old Trafford, you have to defend, and the system is in place for perfectly good reasons.”

“Speaking to the coach has been my number-one criterion at every club I've played for to find out what he expects from me, how he will make me improve, and that he'll play me.”

“I think that with West Ham, it was more complicated for me. It happened naturally; there was urgency to leave West Ham.”

“I am used to moving homes in football, and it seems to be a recurring theme in my career.”

“I'm living a boyhood dream.”

“My managers understood that when I sulk, they talk to me. It's a way for me to be heard.”

“The number of French players Arsenal have brought through is very impressive, and many of the players who arrived, especially the young ones, were unknown when they arrived to the general public.”

“That's the difficulty with free-kicks, as you get one, maybe two, and that's why it's tough. You have to score.”

“Many players in the French squad play in the Premier League or have played in the Premier League, so I knew about the level.”

“I still try to treat football as a game even if there are now other considerations at stake, especially economic ones.”

“I think the season I had playing as a kid against men in Reunion toughened me up a lot and taught me how to cope with hits.”

“When things are going well on the pitch, it is because I know I have the coach behind me.”

“I have very special memories of the West Ham fans.”

“As long as I can play at a certain level, that's what I'll do.”

“The level here in England is much higher than in France.”