World Cup winner and ex-Barca defender Umtiti calls it quits
Reading Time: 1min | Mon. 15.09.25. | 21:20
Although only 31, the centre-back had had enough. Knee injuries plagued his career
Samuel Umtiti announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31.
Umtiti became a free agent after his contract with Lille OSC expired. The former France international and Olympique Lyon graduate has not played football since January 2024, as his career has been plagued by numerous knee injuries. In the end, Umtiti only featured 13 times for Les Dogues.
"After an intense career with highs and lows, the time has come to say goodbye… I gave EVERYTHING with passion and I regret NOTHING. I would like to thank all the clubs, presidents, coaches and players I have been able to work with", Umtiti said in a post on Instagram.
Très belle vidéo de Sam Umtiti sur son compte Instagram pour annoncer sa retraite de footballeur pro
— Max (@MaxOL69) September 15, 2025
Lien: https://t.co/feklQkywrR pic.twitter.com/7l3g24yUc9
The then-Barcelona centre-back scored Les Bleus' game-winning goal against Belgium in the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, before lifting the trophy after a 3-1 triumph in the showdown against Croatia.
Umtiti is the fifth Les Bleus' World Cup-winning squad member to hang up his boots for good, after Blaise Matuidi, Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane and Steve Mandanda.
