Ex-France defender Umtiti calls time on football career
France's forward Kylian Mbappe (left) holds their World Cup trophy as France's defender Samuel Umtiti kisses it after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match between France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018. (Photo: AFP)
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September 15, 2025

Ex-France defender Umtiti calls time on football career

PARIS, France (AFP) — Former France international defender Samuel Umtiti, a World Cup winner in 2018, announced his retirement on Monday.

The 31-year-old former Barcelona and Lyon player left Ligue 1 club Lille at the end of last season.

“After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye… I gave EVERYTHING with passion and I regret NOTHING,” Umtiti, whose career had been plagued by injury, said in a post on Instagram.

Born in Cameroon, Umtiti moved to France as a child living with his family in Lyon where he began his professional career.

Umtiti moved to Barcelona in 2016 winning two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies during his seven years in Spain.

The centre-back was one of the architects of France’s 2018 World Cup title, scoring the only goal in the semi-final against Belgium.

He becomes the fifth World Cup winner in Russia to retire, after Raphael Varane, Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami, and Steve Mandanda.

Umtiti signed for Lille in January 2024 after a loan spell in Italy with Lecce but played very few matches due to repeated injuries and knee surgery.

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