Saturday 11 June 2016 14:20, UK
Dimitri Payet left the field in tears of joy after scoring the winning goal in France's 2-1 win over Romania to launch their Euro 2016 campaign in style on Friday.
The 29-year-old said he had been overcome by the way he has fought his way into the French team this year with a stunning season at West Ham United in the Premier League.
"At the start of the season, a lot of people would have found it hard to believe I would be here," said the attacking midfielder who fired a stunning strike at the Stade de France just when France needed inspiration against the stubborn Romanians.
"I have got here by working hard," said Payet, who added that he wanted to "soak up the experience" of playing in Euro 2016.
He left the pitch in tears in stoppage time as he was substituted to a standing ovation at an emotional Stade de France, just seven months after it was targeted in the attacks that killed 130 people in Paris in November.
After the final whistle went, Payet embraced his small son on the field.
"It was a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, if someone had told me it would have gone like that I don't think I would have believed them.
"It was that emotion that came out in the goal. When I saw the stadium tonight I knew I was going to have fun."
All of the French side were relieved to have got the win.
"We knew that we were a bit timid in the opening quarter of an hour. We were afraid of making mistakes," Payet continued.
"Then we settled, but they defended very well. We managed to find the back of the net, but then they levelled things up. The crowd helped us as well, we know how important the three points are and now we can relax and rest up for the next match."
After the match, West Ham warned off rival clubs who could be tempted by an offer. "The whole of Europe understands #WeveGotPayet," the London club said on its Twitter account.
