<p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Born in Cameroon, Umtiti moved to France as a child living with his family in the &nbsp;Lyon where he began his professional career.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><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"><strong>From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Umtiti moved to Barcelona in 2016 winning two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies during his seven years in Spain.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><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"><strong>Asia Cup 2025: All you need to know - full squads, complete fixtures, date, time, venue and other key details</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He becomes the fifth World Cup winner in Russia to retire, after Raphael Varane, Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami, and Steve Mandanda.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> 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.</i></p>

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.

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

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

<p>World Cup winning defender with France Samuel Umtiti along with his Lecce teammate Lameck Banda were attacked with racial abuse from the travelling Lazio fans during the side’s home match in Serie A on Wednesday, December 4th. As reported by the Italian news agency Ansa, Lazio fans hurled racist insults at Banda during the first half and at Umtiti in the next.</p>

<p>It was during the second half when the referee stopped the game after the stadium announcers called for the abuse to stop. After the match, Umtiti was seen leaving the pitch in tears while receiving a standing ovation from the home fans.</p>

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<p>As quoted in Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport -&nbsp;Lecce president, Saverio Sticchi Damiani even commented on the matter, saying “He (Umtiti) wanted to respond on the pitch to the insults. He reacted like a true champion."</p>

<p>Even on the club’s twitter handle, it was written, “The racist insults were drowned out by the cheers of encouragement for our champion!" along with the hashtag - #KeepRacismOut</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒊 𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑴𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑰 𝒅𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊 𝒅'𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐! 𝑻𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍 𝒑𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅 𝒖𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒆 <a href="https://twitter.com/samumtiti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@samumtiti</a> !<br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeepRacismOut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeepRacismOut</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SerieA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SerieA</a> <a href="https://t.co/wqGWCOGDQ7">pic.twitter.com/wqGWCOGDQ7</a></p>
— U.S. Lecce (@OfficialUSLecce) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialUSLecce/status/1610722747130191874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Samuel Umtiti, who is currently on loan at Lecce from Barcelona, even posted a picture on his Instagram handle saying, "Only football, fun, joy. The rest doesn't count."</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnAaTlcLb1M/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Samuel Umtiti (@samumtiti)</a></p>
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<p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino also sent out a message in support of Umtiti and Banda by posting this on his Instagram handle, “Let’s shout it loud and clear: NO TO RACISM! May the huge majority of fans, who are good people, stand up to shut up all the racists once and for all!"</p>

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<p>Meanwhile, home team Lecce won the match against Lazio 2-1.</p>

<p>While Lazio is sitting in the fifth place with 30 points in 16 matches, Lecce is struggling in the other half of the table with just 18 points in 16 games played.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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World Cup winning defender with France Samuel Umtiti along with his Lecce teammate Lameck Banda were attacked with racial abuse from the travelling Lazio fans during the side’s home match in Serie A on Wednesday, December 4th.

World Cup winning defender with France Samuel Umtiti along with his Lecce teammate Lameck Banda were attacked with racial abuse from the travelling Lazio fans during the side’s home match in Serie A on Wednesday, December 4th. As reported by the Italian news agency Ansa, Lazio fans hurled racist insults at Banda during the first half and at Umtiti in the next. It was during the second half when the referee stopped the game after the stadium announcers called for the abuse to stop. After the match, Umtiti was seen leaving the pitch in tears while receiving a standing ovation from the home fans. ALSO READ: Serbian star Novak Djokovic survives Quentin Halys scare to reach Adelaide quarter-finals As quoted in Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport - Lecce president, Saverio Sticchi Damiani even commented on the matter, saying “He (Umtiti) wanted to respond on the pitch to the insults. He reacted like a true champion." Even on the club’s twitter handle, it was written, “The racist insults were drowned out by the cheers of encouragement for our champion!" along with the hashtag - #KeepRacismOut 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒊 𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑴𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑰 𝒅𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊 𝒅'𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐! 𝑻𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍 𝒑𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝒈𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅 𝒖𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒆 @samumtiti ! #KeepRacismOut @SerieA pic.twitter.com/wqGWCOGDQ7 — U.S. Lecce (@OfficialUSLecce) January 4, 2023 × Samuel Umtiti, who is currently on loan at Lecce from Barcelona, even posted a picture on his Instagram handle saying, "Only football, fun, joy. The rest doesn't count." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samuel Umtiti (@samumtiti) × FIFA president Gianni Infantino also sent out a message in support of Umtiti and Banda by posting this on his Instagram handle, “Let’s shout it loud and clear: NO TO RACISM! May the huge majority of fans, who are good people, stand up to shut up all the racists once and for all!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gianni Infantino - FIFA President (@gianni_infantino) × Meanwhile, home team Lecce won the match against Lazio 2-1. While Lazio is sitting in the fifth place with 30 points in 16 matches, Lecce is struggling in the other half of the table with just 18 points in 16 games played. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Serie A: Defender Samuel Umtiti walks away in tears after racist abuse from Lazio fans, FIFA takes stand

<p>Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi are set to miss Sunday's trip to Real Mallorca after testing positive for COVID-19, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The Catalans have been hit by a number of cases in their squad, with Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde also returning positive tests this week.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsenal-manager-mikel-arteta-to-miss-manchester-city-game-after-covid-19-positive-test-440933">Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to miss Manchester City game after COVID-19 positive test</a></strong></p>

<p>"Dembele, Umtiti and Gavi are positive for COVID-19 after PCR tests on the squad. The players are in good health and self-isolating at home. The club has reported the cases to the relevant authorities," Barcelona said in a statement.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">LATEST NEWS | The players O. Dembélé, Umtiti, and Gavi have tested positive for Covid-19 following PCR tests administered to the team. The players are in good health and are in isolation at their homes. The Club has informed the relevant authorities. <a href="https://t.co/zLC6wxDHvP">pic.twitter.com/zLC6wxDHvP</a></p>
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1476140714501324806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Barca, who last played in the league in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla on Dec. 21, are seventh on 28 points from 18 games.</p>


Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi are set to miss Sunday's trip to Real Mallorca after testing positive for COVID-19, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday.

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi are set to miss Sunday's trip to Real Mallorca after testing positive for COVID-19, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday. The Catalans have been hit by a number of cases in their squad, with Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde also returning positive tests this week. ALSO READ: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to miss Manchester City game after COVID-19 positive test "Dembele, Umtiti and Gavi are positive for COVID-19 after PCR tests on the squad. The players are in good health and self-isolating at home. The club has reported the cases to the relevant authorities," Barcelona said in a statement. LATEST NEWS | The players O. Dembélé, Umtiti, and Gavi have tested positive for Covid-19 following PCR tests administered to the team. The players are in good health and are in isolation at their homes. The Club has informed the relevant authorities. pic.twitter.com/zLC6wxDHvP — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 29, 2021 × Barca, who last played in the league in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla on Dec. 21, are seventh on 28 points from 18 games.

Barca trio of Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi test positive for COVID-19

<p>Spanish giants Barcelona are aiming to sign Spurs man Tanguy Ndombele, to add more manpower to the midfield. The deal will include two players from Catalan giants as they are unable to buy a player with cash.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also&nbsp;see:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/summer-transfer-rumours-check-out-where-your-favourite-football-stars-could-play-next-season-292907" hreflang="en">Summer transfer rumours: Check out where your favourite football stars could play next season!</a></p>

<p>Barca are unable to pay the 54 million pounds due to the financial impact of coronavirus, so they have decided to offer Spurs a chance to sign centre-back Samuel Umtiti and right-back Nelson Semedo.</p>

<p>Inter Milan also aims to buy a defensive midfielder, they showed interest in Barca midfielder Arthur. But Arthur has said that he will stay in Barcelona. Barca could also aim for N'golo Kante in an exchange for Philippe Coutinho.</p>

<p>Umtiti has been an&nbsp;interesting prospect to Spurs in the past but he has not made the impact he would have liked at the Nou Camp and has long struggle&nbsp;with injuries.</p>

<p>Semedo has been a regular this season but has also been offered to Inter Milan, and the Serie A club is keen to buy the player.</p>

<p>The economy has been hard hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bayern Munich boss feels that this year's transfer window will not see any high buy-outs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>FIFA has decided to release large operational funds for 2019 and 2020 to its member associates as an initial step of a relief plan to neutralise the economic impact of the COVID-19. The news was confirmed by the soccer body on Friday. &nbsp;</p>


Spanish giants Barcelona are aiming to sign Spurs man Tanguy Ndombele, to add more manpower to the midfield. The deal will include two players from Catalan giants as they are unable to buy a player with cash.

Spanish giants Barcelona are aiming to sign Spurs man Tanguy Ndombele, to add more manpower to the midfield. The deal will include two players from Catalan giants as they are unable to buy a player with cash. Also see: Summer transfer rumours: Check out where your favourite football stars could play next season! Barca are unable to pay the 54 million pounds due to the financial impact of coronavirus, so they have decided to offer Spurs a chance to sign centre-back Samuel Umtiti and right-back Nelson Semedo. Inter Milan also aims to buy a defensive midfielder, they showed interest in Barca midfielder Arthur. But Arthur has said that he will stay in Barcelona. Barca could also aim for N'golo Kante in an exchange for Philippe Coutinho. Umtiti has been an interesting prospect to Spurs in the past but he has not made the impact he would have liked at the Nou Camp and has long struggle with injuries. Semedo has been a regular this season but has also been offered to Inter Milan, and the Serie A club is keen to buy the player. The economy has been hard hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bayern Munich boss feels that this year's transfer window will not see any high buy-outs. FIFA has decided to release large operational funds for 2019 and 2020 to its member associates as an initial step of a relief plan to neutralise the economic impact of the COVID-19. The news was confirmed by the soccer body on Friday.

Barcelona includes its main players for deal for Spurs Tanguy Ndombele

<p>The contract extension to 2023 that France defender Samuel Umtiti signed with Barcelona on Monday contains 500m euro ($586m) buyout clause said club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.</p>

<p>"We think that with this clause, no one will dream of coming here" for him, Bartomeu said at a press conference at the Nou Camp immediately after Umtiti signed.</p>

<p>"It's great news for Barcelona fans," said Bartomeu, who signed Umtiti for 25m from Lyon in 2016. "Without Samuel, this team would not be the same and we need him."</p>

<p>Umtiti, who is 24 and has played 17 times for France, took a break from World Cup camp at Clairefontaine near Paris to travel to Barcelona.&nbsp</p>

<p>"I'm a little nervous because my dream here continues," Umtiti said. "From the first day here in Barcelona I felt at home and now I want to stay 15 years."</p>

<p>Umititi's previous deal had a 60m euro buyout, but that had begun to look low after Liverpool paid 84m euros for Virgil van Dijk in December and Manchester City paid 70m euros for Aymeric Laporte in January.</p>


The contract extension to 2023 that France defender Samuel Umtiti signed with Barcelona on Monday contains 500m euro ($586m) buyout clause said club president Josep Maria Bartomeu

The contract extension to 2023 that France defender Samuel Umtiti signed with Barcelona on Monday contains 500m euro ($586m) buyout clause said club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. "We think that with this clause, no one will dream of coming here" for him, Bartomeu said at a press conference at the Nou Camp immediately after Umtiti signed. "It's great news for Barcelona fans," said Bartomeu, who signed Umtiti for 25m from Lyon in 2016. "Without Samuel, this team would not be the same and we need him." Umtiti, who is 24 and has played 17 times for France, took a break from World Cup camp at Clairefontaine near Paris to travel to Barcelona. "I'm a little nervous because my dream here continues," Umtiti said. "From the first day here in Barcelona I felt at home and now I want to stay 15 years." Umititi's previous deal had a 60m euro buyout, but that had begun to look low after Liverpool paid 84m euros for Virgil van Dijk in December and Manchester City paid 70m euros for Aymeric Laporte in January.

Samuel Umtiti's new Barcelona contract has 500m euro buyout

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

Serie A: Defender Samuel Umtiti walks away in tears after racist abuse from Lazio fans, FIFA takes stand

Barca trio of Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi test positive for COVID-19

Barcelona includes its main players for deal for Spurs Tanguy Ndombele

Samuel Umtiti's new Barcelona contract has 500m euro buyout