Samuel Umtiti announces retirement from club football

A career marked by highs and lows

The 31-year-old, who previously played for Barcelona, Lyon, and most recently Lille, shared the news in an emotional Instagram post.

"After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye... I gave EVERYTHING with passion and I regret NOTHING," he wrote.

Umtiti’s career was notably affected by recurring injuries, particularly to his knee, which significantly limited his appearances in recent seasons.

From Cameroon to Lyon: A football journey

Born in Cameroon, Umtiti moved to France as a child, settling in Lyon, where he began his professional career. His strong performances eventually led to a high-profile transfer to Barcelona in 2016.

Success at Barcelona and World Cup glory

During his time with the Spanish giants, Umtiti won two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies. His international career peaked in 2018 when he scored the winning goal in the World Cup semi-final against Belgium, helping France lift the trophy.

Final years and retirement

Umtiti joined Lille in January 2024 following a loan spell at Lecce in Italy, but persistent injuries limited his time on the pitch. His retirement makes him the fifth member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad to step away from professional football, following Raphael Varane, Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami, and Steve Mandanda.