Samuel Umtiti has decided to call time on his playing career at the age of 31. The French centre-back, without a club since leaving Lille at the end of last season, has taken the decision after struggling with serious knee problems in recent years and failing to find a new team.
A product of Olympique Lyonnais, where he signed his first professional contract in 2012, Umtiti made the move to FC Barcelona on 14 July 2016 to strengthen the defence under then-coach Luis Enrique. It was at this club that the Frenchman of Cameroonian origin enjoyed the standout spell of his career.
Wearing the No. 23 shirt, Umtiti spent six seasons as a Barça player, becoming the fifth Frenchman with the most appearances for the club (134). In that time, he scored twice in La Liga (2016/17 and 2017/18).
He lifted seven trophies:
Two Ligas (2017/18 and 2018/19)
Three Copas del Rey (2016/17, 2017/18 and 2020/21)
Two Spanish Super Cups (2016/17 and 2018/19).
He also hit the heights with the French national team during that period, winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
After his Barça years, the centre-back went on to play for Lecce in Italy and Lille in France’s Ligue 1 before becoming a free agent last summer. Now, at just 31, he has chosen to retire from professional football, bringing to an end a career marked by both triumphs and injuries.