--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There were times when I didn't think I…" description: "\"There were times when I didn't think I would even be at the European Championship. so to be walking off the field, having scored the winning goal in fr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg" --- # There were times when I didn't think I would even be at… ![“There were times when I didn't think I would even be at the European Championship. so to be walking off the field, having scored the winning goal in front of our home fans, just got too much for me.” quote by Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg) > “There were times when I didn't think I would even be at the European Championship. so to be walking off the field, having scored the winning goal in front of our home fans, just got too much for me.” [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A sudden, unexpected triumph can feel overwhelming, especially when it exceeds one's own expectations. **In simple terms:** Unexpected success can be shocking. Key Takeaway Surprise success can be emotionally intense. Themes overcoming doubt unexpected victory emotional overwhelm sports achievement personal growth Mood exhilarated humble astonished Type personal anecdote sports quote When to use this quote - playing in a major tournament - scoring a decisive goal - celebrating with home supporters - overcoming self-doubt Key Concepts confidence resilience fan support goal scoring Practical Applications - motivational speaking - team-building workshops Questions to Reflect On - How does unexpected success change self-perception? - What role does audience support play in amplifying achievement? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Championship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/championship/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [On the pitch, my first tournament, the European Championship in England in 2005, was special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-carney/on-the-pitch-my-first-tournament-the-european-championship-in-england/) [Karen Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-carney/) > [Greece won the 2004 European Championship with the oldest trick in the book: man-for-man marking. Why? Because nobody expected it - and by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-samuel/greece-won-the-2004-european-championship-with-the-oldest-trick-in/) [Martin Samuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-samuel/) > [The 2017 European Championship was my first major tournament for England, but everyone tells me the World Cup is a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/the-2017-european-championship-was-my-first-major-tournament-for/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [Not everyone can win the European Championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mats-hummels/not-everyone-can-win-the-european-championship/) [Mats Hummels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mats-hummels/) > [I'm a fan of judo, so I always try to watch competitions like the European championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-kim/i-m-a-fan-of-judo-so-i-always-try-to-watch-competitions-like-the/) [Claudia Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-kim/) > [I've never been in a situation where winning was the only goal, that no individual stat mattered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-alvarez/i-ve-never-been-in-a-situation-where-winning-was-the-only-goal-that/) [Eddy Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-alvarez/) > [I wanted to score the winning goal in the 90th minute of the World Cup final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-baggio/i-wanted-to-score-the-winning-goal-in-the-90th-minute-of-the-world/) [Roberto Baggio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-baggio/) > [We got anxious at the end of the weekend in our urgency to try to score the winning goal. Ended up playing far too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/we-got-anxious-at-the-end-of-the-weekend-in-our-urgency-to-try-to/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [I want to continue to win things, hopefully something with England, and if I can score the winning goal at the World Cup, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-want-to-continue-to-win-things-hopefully-something-with-england-and/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [YOU have got to be In the game… If you want to kick a winning goal ~ Big Al Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-al-connolly/you-have-got-to-be-in-the-game-if-you-want-to-kick-a-winning-goal-big/) [Big Al Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-al-connolly/) > [“Competition is my life; winning is my only goal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daley-thompson/competition-is-my-life-winning-is-my-only-goal/) [Daley Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daley-thompson/) > [Every day growing up, I had this dream about the World Cup: I score the winning goal. In the final minute. With my butt!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-baggio/every-day-growing-up-i-had-this-dream-about-the-world-cup-i-score-the/) [Roberto Baggio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-baggio/) > [There is something about Game 7 that there's a memory there for you for sure. You want to be a coach or a manager…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-babcock/there-is-something-about-game-7-that-there-s-a-memory-there-for-you/) [Mike Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-babcock/) > [As teachers and coaches, we must remember that when mere winning is our only goal, we are doomed to disappointment and failure. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-teachers-and-coaches-we-must-remember-that-when-mere-winning-is/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Winning anything is always the goal but the FA Cup is something special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasper-schmeichel/winning-anything-is-always-the-goal-but-the-fa-cup-is-something/) [Kasper Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasper-schmeichel/) ## More by Dimitri Payet > [I had spent four years at Le Havre, and when they told me they weren't keeping me, because I wasn't good for the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-had-spent-four-years-at-le-havre-and-when-they-told-me-they-weren-t/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [I am used to moving homes in football, and it seems to be a recurring theme in my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-am-used-to-moving-homes-in-football-and-it-seems-to-be-a-recurring/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [When I am happy on the pitch, it's because everything is going well off it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/when-i-am-happy-on-the-pitch-it-s-because-everything-is-going-well/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [If I'm forced to leave West Ham, it will be done according to the rules - the club will have its share of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/if-i-m-forced-to-leave-west-ham-it-will-be-done-according-to-the/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [I don't close the door to anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-don-t-close-the-door-to-anything/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [I played for four different clubs in France; I played for Marseille, which is one of the biggest clubs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-played-for-four-different-clubs-in-france-i-played-for-marseille/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [When you come to a place like Old Trafford, you have to defend, and the system is in place for perfectly good reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/when-you-come-to-a-place-like-old-trafford-you-have-to-defend-and-the/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [After Le Havre, I became the youngest player in the first division in Reunion. I made my debut at 16. That's how I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/after-le-havre-i-became-the-youngest-player-in-the-first-division-in/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [I'm living a boyhood dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-m-living-a-boyhood-dream/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [As long as I can play at a certain level, that's what I'll do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/as-long-as-i-can-play-at-a-certain-level-that-s-what-i-ll-do/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [I don't blame Le Havre. Back then, I wasn't an easy person to handle. I was always one of the first to mess around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-don-t-blame-le-havre-back-then-i-wasn-t-an-easy-person-to-handle-i/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [I have very special memories of the West Ham fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/i-have-very-special-memories-of-the-west-ham-fans/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [That's the difficulty with free-kicks, as you get one, maybe two, and that's why it's tough. You have to score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/that-s-the-difficulty-with-free-kicks-as-you-get-one-maybe-two-and/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [West Ham was the best choice for me on the back of my best season in Ligue 1. I don't think there was much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/west-ham-was-the-best-choice-for-me-on-the-back-of-my-best-season-in/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [When I joined Lille, they had a new stadium at Marseille. It was the same, so I know how important it is to clubs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/when-i-joined-lille-they-had-a-new-stadium-at-marseille-it-was-the/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) [Explore all 36 Dimitri Payet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) ## More Championship quotes > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I have wrestled in almost every tournament in the world. I've won the Olympics, NCAAs, and World Championships, but none of those can truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-burroughs/i-have-wrestled-in-almost-every-tournament-in-the-world-i-ve-won-the/) [Jordan Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-burroughs/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Generally speaking, ROH championship matches are hard fought and grueling, and the fans are really into it. The ROH Championship means a lot to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cole/generally-speaking-roh-championship-matches-are-hard-fought-and/) [Adam Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cole/) > [My whole thing when I got in the NBA was I want to win a championship. The mindset hasn't changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bam-adebayo/my-whole-thing-when-i-got-in-the-nba-was-i-want-to-win-a-championship/) [Bam Adebayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bam-adebayo/) > [In over 160 years of recorded baseball history, no team had ever won a championship this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-thorn/in-over-160-years-of-recorded-baseball-history-no-team-had-ever-won-a/) [John Thorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-thorn/) > [I probably should've listened to Michael a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn't show any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-probably-should-ve-listened-to-michael-a-year-ago-when-he-said-that/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [One day we'll have championship boxing in Cleveland and people will support it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/one-day-we-ll-have-championship-boxing-in-cleveland-and-people-will/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [My biggest regret is that I wasn't able to help give our fans a championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/my-biggest-regret-is-that-i-wasn-t-able-to-help-give-our-fans-a/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) > [Two beautiful women crashing and burning for the sake of the Women's Championship!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ross/two-beautiful-women-crashing-and-burning-for-the-sake-of-the-women-s/) [Jim Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ross/) > [I got everything I wanted out of Texas. Obviously, you'd love to win more. You'd love to win a national championship and compete at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-bamba/i-got-everything-i-wanted-out-of-texas-obviously-you-d-love-to-win/) [Mohamed Bamba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-bamba/) > [When I wrestled Randy Orton, that was probably the biggest match of my career at that point, because that was when I had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/when-i-wrestled-randy-orton-that-was-probably-the-biggest-match-of-my/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [The Russians have held my title for ten years and they're going to be in for it when I win the Championship. They're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/the-russians-have-held-my-title-for-ten-years-and-they-re-going-to-be/) [Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/) > [As you get older, every chance to win a championship is more crucial, because you are going to have less and less of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-west/as-you-get-older-every-chance-to-win-a-championship-is-more-crucial/) [Jerry West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-west/) > [It will be a hard game if you think about winning a championship. We need to think about our own game at the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-bergkamp/it-will-be-a-hard-game-if-you-think-about-winning-a-championship-we/) [Dennis Bergkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-bergkamp/) [Browse all 1,448 Championship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/championship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There were times when I didn't think I would even be at the European Championship. so to be walking off the field, having scored the winning goal in front of our home fans, just got too much for me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dimitri Payet" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-would-even-be-at-the-european/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Championship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-would-even-be-at-the-european/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/dimitri-payet-17821_championship_there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-w_52734.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There were times when I didn't think I would even be at the European Championship. so to be walking off the…” — Dimitri Payet", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dimitri Payet", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There were times when I didn't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-would-even-be-at-the-european/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/there-were-times-when-i-didn-t-think-i-would-even-be-at-the-european/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```