"Former World Cup-winning centre-back Samuel Umtiti has retired from football at the age of just 31. Umtiti started alongside Raphael Varane in six of France's seven games at the 2018 tournament in Russia, as Didier Deschamps' men beat Croatia in the final to win their second crown. Umtiti also won LaLiga twice and the Copa del Rey on three occasions during six seasons with Barcelona, though knee injuries restricted his playing time from 2018 onwards."
"Having made 83 appearances for Barca in two campaigns prior to France's World Cup win, he only played 50 games for the Blaugrana across the next four seasons. He joined Lecce on loan in August 2022 and was a regular in Serie A the following campaign, but further fitness issues saw him limited to just six Ligue 1 outings when he joined Lille the following year, and he left the club as a free agent this June."
""After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye. I gave my all with passion and regret nothing.""
Samuel Umtiti has retired from professional football at age 31 following a career that included winning the 2018 World Cup and multiple trophies with Barcelona. He started six of France's seven matches in the 2018 tournament and contributed to the team's victory over Croatia in the final. He won LaLiga twice and three Copa del Rey titles across six seasons with Barcelona, but knee injuries from 2018 onward significantly limited his playing time. He made 83 Barca appearances in the two seasons before the World Cup and only 50 across the subsequent four seasons. He spent 2022–23 on loan at Lecce, joined Lille with limited appearances, left as a free agent in June, made 170 appearances for Lyon, and earned 31 caps for France between 2016 and 2019.
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