The French star is alleged to have been involved in a seven month extra-marital affair.
In an explosive revelation, former West Ham star Dimitri Payet has been accused of cheating on his wife, Ludivine, with a Brazilian lawyer, Larissa Ferrari.
The 37-year-old French midfielder, who moved to Rio de Janeiro’s Vasco da Gama in April 2023, is now at the centre of a media frenzy after Ferrari, 28, shared details of their alleged seven-month relationship.
Brazilian influencer Payet’s loneliness led him to her
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Ferrari, a social media influencer with 54,500 followers on Instagram, claims the affair began after Payet "got lonely" in Brazil.
According to Ferrari, who describes herself as a "lawyer and broker in training" on her Instagram profile, the relationship took off after she separated from her husband.
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As per The Sun, she shared her side of the story in a heartfelt post, insisting that money was never a motive for her involvement with Payet.
Ferrari stated, "One thing I want to make clear is that it was never about money. There was no need for it. In fact, the last time I went to Rio, I went by bus."
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Ferrari described the bond between her and the ex-France international as being forged out of mutual loneliness.
"Our intention, initially, wasn’t for us to become so attached to each other, but we ended up getting very involved," she explained.
"We got very close because I got divorced, and he gets lonely a lot too. With so much closeness, the meetings became more frequent. I would go to Dimitri’s house every 12 days or so and stay for three or four days."
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Ferrari went on to describe the intense affection that characterised their relationship.
“He has also always been very affectionate towards me, both in person and through messages. And with so much affection exchanged, it was impossible not to become attached to each other,” she added.
Is Dimitri Payet still married?
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Yes. But the latest revelation is all the more striking given Payet’s deep connection with his wife, Ludivine.
In previous interviews, Payet is said to have praised his wife’s unwavering support, especially when he made the bold decision to move to Brazil.
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"If I’m here today, it’s thanks to her," Payet was quoted as saying.
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"She said, ‘Go ahead. Come on, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll look after the children.’ She knows I love football."
While Ferrari has now chosen to step back from social media for some time, seeking "peace," the fallout from these claims may still have significant repercussions for the former Premier League star's personal and professional life.
Payet joined West Ham United in 2015, quickly becoming one of the club's standout players with his exceptional skill and playmaking abilities.
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His remarkable performances saw him become a cult hero, and earned him a spot on the PFA Player of the Year shortlist in 2016, and he won the London Football Awards for Premier League Player of the Year that same year.
However, his West Ham career ended controversially in 2017 when Payet forced a move back to Marseille, citing homesickness and angering Hammers fans.