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.&nbsp;"After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye... I gave EVERYTHING with passion and I regret NOTHING," &nbsp;Umtiti, whose career had been plagued by injury, said in a post on Instagram.&nbsp;Born in Cameroon, Umtiti moved to France as a child living with his family in the &nbsp;Lyon where he began his professional career.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;Umtiti moved to Barcelona in 2016 winning two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies during his seven years in Spain.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-asia-cup-2025-full-squads-complete-fixtures-date-time-venue-and-live-streaming-details-check-all-details-1755585771834">Asia Cup 2025: All you need to know - full squads, complete fixtures, date, time, venue and other key details</a>&nbsp;He becomes the fifth World Cup winner in Russia to retire, after Raphael Varane, Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami, and Steve Mandanda.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

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

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 the Lyon where he began his professional career. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) 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. ALSO READ | Asia Cup 2025: All you need to know - full squads, complete fixtures, date, time, venue and other key details 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. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

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

French World Cup-winning defender Samuel Umtiti calls time on club career

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous footballers not only today but of all time. His every move is tracked by fans and media alike and the speculation about him playing the upcoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/fifa">FIFA</a> World Cup in 2026 getting hotter as the days pass by. The talisman footballer, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in the last edition, has not made clear yet about his plans of sitting out or playing the next year's World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lionel-messi">Messi</a>, however, may have been playing his last game before the home crowd when Argentina take Ecuador in last World Cup qualifier match.<h2>Messi drops major hint on retirement plans</h2>While the Argentine star has still refrained from sharing his complete future plans, he has acknowledged that the game against Ecuador on September 10 is going to be a 'special one.' With the World Cup being played in North America and Messi already at 36, this could very well be his last home game.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uefa-champions-league-draw-all-team-home-and-away-matches-1756404127202">UEFA Champions League Draw: Check all home and away matches for each team</a>“It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match,” Messi said after his MLS club Inter Miami beat Orlando City to enter the Leagues Cup final.Another reason Ecuador game could be Messi's last at home is no clarity over Argentina's plans on scheduling friendly games in the coming months."I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches, but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next," the star footballer added.<h2>Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026</h2>The defending champions have already made it to the 48-team quadrennial event after beating arch-rivals Brazil 4-1 in March earlier this year. So far, Argentina lead the World Cup qualifying table in their region, i.e. South America with 35 points from 11 wins, two draws, and three losses in 16 games

Argentina will be playing Ecuador on September 10 at home in their last World Cup 2026 qualifier and Messi has the called it ‘very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match.’

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous footballers not only today but of all time. His every move is tracked by fans and media alike and the speculation about him playing the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026 getting hotter as the days pass by. The talisman footballer, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in the last edition, has not made clear yet about his plans of sitting out or playing the next year's World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada. Messi, however, may have been playing his last game before the home crowd when Argentina take Ecuador in last World Cup qualifier match. Messi drops major hint on retirement plans While the Argentine star has still refrained from sharing his complete future plans, he has acknowledged that the game against Ecuador on September 10 is going to be a 'special one.' With the World Cup being played in North America and Messi already at 36, this could very well be his last home game. Also Read - UEFA Champions League Draw: Check all home and away matches for each team “It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match,” Messi said after his MLS club Inter Miami beat Orlando City to enter the Leagues Cup final. Another reason Ecuador game could be Messi's last at home is no clarity over Argentina's plans on scheduling friendly games in the coming months. "I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches, but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next," the star footballer added. Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026 The defending champions have already made it to the 48-team quadrennial event after beating arch-rivals Brazil 4-1 in March earlier this year. So far, Argentina lead the World Cup qualifying table in their region, i.e. South America with 35 points from 11 wins, two draws, and three losses in 16 games

Argentina will be playing Ecuador on September 10 at home in their last World Cup 2026 qualifier and Messi has the called it ‘very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match.’

Messi to not play in FIFA World Cup 2026? Argentina star gears up for 'very special match' at home

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French World Cup-winning defender Samuel Umtiti calls time on club career

Messi to not play in WC 2026? Argentina star up for 'very special match' at home