Samuel Umtiti joined Barcelona in the summer of 2016. He had a good first two seasons, he was an important part of the team of Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, but after the World Cup in Russia he began to have health problems very often. Numerous injuries have significantly weakened his position at the Camp Nou. In 2022, he was loaned to Lecce. He has a contract with the “Pride of Catalonia” until 2026, but its length is mainly due to economic needs.
He gave an interview to the daily As, in which he complained about his treatment between 2018 and 2022. – In Barcelona, I spent 4 years in prison. Not only in a sports context, but also in private. I just wanted to feel appreciated and respected. In the beginning after moving to Spain it was like that and I was playing at a good level. Then I started to feel distrusted, I felt bad, and I realized that no one believed in me anymore. I was really in a bad state, I preferred to stay away from everyone,” he told the French television channel Canal+.
Samuel Umtiti: “I got my smile back in Lecce”
This season in Serie A is experiencing a resurgence. His team is sixteenth in the table and with two rounds to go they are three points clear of the relegation zone. The centre-back is doing very well, he is one of the best players in the team. He is unlikely to return to Barcelona – it is said that Olympique Lyonnais, whose student he is, may be interested in his services.
“The start in Lecce was a challenge for me. I know very well that being successful at this stage of your career is very valuable. I found my smile again and I am grateful to the fans for that. Now I’m just thinking about avoiding relegation.
In total, he made 133 appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring two goals and providing one assist. He saw 30 yellow cards. He won two Spanish championships, three Copa del Reys and two domestic Super Cups.
-La Liga teams hold banner “Racists out of football” VIDEO/ /Associated Press/ /© 2023 Associated Press
Samuel Umtiti/ /JOSEP LAGO/ /AFP
Samuel Umtiti (right) will not be signing for Rennes anytime soon/ /AFP
