Umtiti has been on loan at US Lecce since 2022, but his owner is still FC Barcelona. Despite this, the footballer decided to express his frustration with his stay at the Catalan club. “All I needed here was to feel valued, useful and respected,” the 32-year-old defender told France’s Canal Plus. However, he claims he did not receive it. “In Catalonia, I spent four years in prison, not only in a sports stadium, but also in everyday life,” he said.
Samuel Umtiti in Barcelona did not feel appreciated. I prefer to play in Lecce
However, he revealed that his start to the Camp Nou wasn’t so bad. “In the beginning, after moving to Spain, I felt appreciated and played at a good level. Then I started to feel mistrust, I felt bad, and I realized that no one believed in me anymore.
He made it clear that he feels much better at US Lecce, which is fighting for relegation in Serie A. “It was a challenge for me. I know the fight for relegation here is worth the championship. It’s good, because here I found my smile again and I’m grateful to the environment for that – he said.
His contract with FC Barcelona expires in June 2026, but it seems unlikely that Umtiti will return to the Camp Nou.
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