Paris – French footballer Samuel Umtiti has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31. the defender, a key member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, shared the news on Monday via social media, bringing an end to a career marked by both triumph and physical challenges.

From Lyon Academy to Barcelona Stardom

Umtiti developed through the esteemed Lyon Academy, where he made 170 appearances before securing a transfer to Barcelona in 2016.He quickly established himself in the Catalan club,debuting for Les Bleus (the French national team) in the same year.

During his seven seasons with Barcelona, Umtiti enjoyed notable success, contributing to two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey victories.

Knee Problems and a Courageous Stand

the 2017/2018 season marked the beginning of persistent left knee problems for Umtiti. Despite the pain,he notably chose to forgo surgery,playing through the discomfort to help Barcelona secure the league title. He was also a vital part of Didier deschamps’ squad during that summer’s World Cup campaign.

Subsequent knee operations and health concerns limited his playing time. He had a stint with Lecce in Italy before Barcelona mutually terminated his contract in 2023.

International Career

Umtiti earned 31 caps for the French national team. while a crucial figure in France’s 2018 World Cup victory, he featured in onyl 6 matches during the tournament due to his knee injury.

A Career Without Regrets

In a heartfelt message, Umtiti stated, “After a challenging career full of good and worse moments, the time has come to finish.I gave everything and I do not regret anything.”