Former Barcelona and France defender Samuel Umtiti has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31, SportsRation reports.
The Frenchman enjoyed seven years at Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies. He also played a key role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.
However, his career was repeatedly disrupted by knee injuries, which kept him out of action for long periods.
In an emotional farewell video, Umtiti said:
“After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye. I gave my all with passion and regret nothing. I want to thank all the clubs, presidents, coaches, and players I was able to share the pitch with. And thank you to all the supporters for your love and support.”
Umtiti began his career at Lyon before moving to Barcelona in 2016. He later had spells at Lecce in Italy and Lille in France before bringing his playing days to an end.