Former Barcelona and France defender Samuel Umtiti has officially announced his retirement from football at the age of 31 after years of battling persistent knee injuries, according to Sportskeeda. The 2018 World Cup winner confirmed the decision on Instagram with an emotional video message, reflecting on a career that brought both immense highs and painful setbacks.
“After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye… I gave my ALL with passion and regret NOTHING,” Umtiti wrote. He went on to thank Lyon, Barcelona, Lecce, Lille, the French national team, and supporters worldwide for their role in his journey.
Umtiti’s announcement drew reactions from several footballing figures. Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta replied with a heartfelt “Samu!” while France teammate Paul Pogba shared crying and heart emojis to show his sadness at the news. Other stars, including Raphael Varane, Sergi Roberto, Kurt Zouma, and Ansu Fati, also left tributes. Barcelona themselves joined in, writing: “Thank you, Sam! Good luck in this new stage.”
The French defender’s career began at Lyon, where he broke through in 2012 before securing a move to Barcelona in 2016. At Camp Nou, he enjoyed six successful seasons, making 133 appearances and winning seven trophies, including two La Liga titles and three Copa del Reys. His finest moment, however, came with France in 2018, when he scored the winning goal in the World Cup semi-final against Belgium and went on to lift the trophy in Moscow.
Unfortunately, recurring knee problems plagued Umtiti from 2018 onwards, limiting his appearances and forcing loan spells at Lecce and later a short stint with Lille. He managed just 13 games in France before missing the entire 2024–25 season, which ultimately led to his decision to step away from the game.
In total, Umtiti made 393 club appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists. While his career was shortened by injuries, his legacy as a World Cup winner and key figure during Barcelona’s domestic success remains firmly intact.