Samuel Umtiti (born 14 November 1993 in Yaoundé, Cameroon) is a dual French and Cameroonian citizen who plays as a defender for Spanish Football League side FC Barcelona.
Umtiti made his debut at Lyon Football Club and in 2011 made his first appearance for Lyon first team. In July 2016, Umtiti joined FC Barcelona for a transfer fee of €25 million. In June 2018, Barcelona extended their contract with Umtiti for five years, signing a contract until 2023. In 2013, he represented France in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and won the championship. In June 2016, Umtiti was selected for the French national football team for the first time and participated in euro 2016 in France.
In June 2018, he played with the national team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On 10 July, France defeated Belgium 1–0 in the semi-finals to advance to the final, and in the 51st minutes of the second half, Umtiti scored the winning goal with a header.
Early life
Born on 14 November 1993 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Umtiti made his debut at Lyon Football Club, Umtiti first arrived in Lyon as a centre-forward, but then gradually became a well-rounded defender, playing both centre-back and left-back.
Athletic career
Club career
Lyon period
On 8 January 2012, Lyon defeated Dusil FC 3–1 in the Round of 32 of the French Cup, and Umtiti made his first-team debut in this match. On 14 January, Umtiti made his French Football League debut against Montpellier FC. In the 2011–12 season, Umtiti made 18 appearances for Lyon in all competitions.
On 12 January 2013, Lyon beat Troyes FC 2–1 away to FC Fernando in the 20th round of Ligue 1, with Umtiti scoring his debut goal in Ligue 1. In the 2012–13 season, Umtiti made 32 appearances for Lyon in all competitions, scoring two goals.
On 16 March 2014, Lyon hosted Monaco FC in the 29th round of Ligue 1, and in the 10th minute of the match, Umtiti was replaced early due to a thigh muscle strain, which caused him to miss the next three games. In the 2013–14 season, Umtiti made 42 appearances for Lyon in all competitions.
On 31 July 2014, Lyon beat Boleslav FC 4–1 away in the first leg of the third round of the Champions League qualifiers, with Umtiti scoring one goal and providing one assist. In the 2014–15 season, Umtiti made 40 appearances for Lyon in all competitions, scoring two goals.
On 26 September 2015, Umtiti made his first appearance as captain of the ligue 1 round between Lyon and Bordeaux FC away from home. In the 2015–16 season, Umtiti made 38 appearances for Lyon in all competitions, scoring one goal.
Barcelona period
On 12 July 2016, Spanish Football League side FC Barcelona officially announced that Umtiti had officially joined. Umtiti, whose transfer fee is 25 million euros, signed a five-year contract with Barcelona.
On 21 August 2016, with Barcelona beating Real Betis 6–2 in the first round of La Liga, Umtiti made his La Liga debut for the team. On 4 March 2017, barcelona beat Celta Vigo FC 5–0 in the 26th round of La Liga, and Umtiti scored his la Liga debut goal in the 61st minute of the match. In the 2016–17 season, Umtiti made 43 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring one goal.
On 4 June 2018, FC Barcelona announced that it had completed a five-year contract extension with French defender Umtiti, signing a contract until 2023.
National team career
In July 2012, Umtiti represented France at the UEFA Euro 19 Football Championship in Estonia, where in the semi-final match between France and Spain, Umtiti broke the deadlock for the team in the 26th minute of the match and scored a goal in second-half stoppage time to equalize and enter extra time. In the end, France lost to their opponents in the penalty shootout and missed the final. Umtiti made four appearances in the tournament, scoring two goals.
In June 2013, Umtiti represented France at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where France defeated Uruguay 4–1 on penalties to win the title.
On 4 July 2016, in the quarter-finals of euro 2016 in France, France beat Iceland 5-2, and Umtiti made his debut for the team to make his french national football team debut. Umtiti made 3 appearances in the tournament.
Social evaluation
Umtiti adds many possibilities to Barcelona's defensive end, not only playing at centre-back but also on the left. Umtiti is characterized by his outstanding physical condition, anticipation ability and ability to accurately deliver the ball behind him. He is not tall, only 1.81 meters, but his strong physical coordination allows him to stop the ball and control the ball well in the passing and matching, whether it is shooting or physical confrontation. In fact, Umtiti scored more than once with a long-range shot in the second half of the game. Before coming to Barcelona, Umtiti had already served as interim captain of his old club Lyon several times, which also showed his leadership skills.
Umtiti is not only a strong centre-back, but can also play a great left-back. He has solid speed and strength, amazing mental attributes and strong defensive ability as well as good passing technique. He is only 1.81 meters tall, but his physical fitness and amazing bouncing power have become the reason why he can compete with other players who are much taller than him.