In the world of sports, young talents always attract special attention. Especially in football. It is to these that Samuel Umtiti, the French defender of Cameroonian origin, refers. For two years now he has been playing in Barcelona, one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe. How did his career begin? This will be discussed now.
early years
Samuel Umtiti was born in Yaoundé (Cameroon) in 1993, November 14th. In addition to him, the family already had three kids. Two years after his birth, parents decided to move to Lyon with all the children.
Of course, Samuel does not remember anything about Cameroon. He says that he often talks with relatives from there over the phone, but there are no memories at all. However, the young man certainly has respect for his roots.
First, he and his family lived in the Villeurba area, then they moved to Gerland, followed by Menival. It was there that Samuel began to get involved in football. When he was 5 years old, he began playing for FC Menival. There he came in company with a friend Sebastien Flocco.
Interestingly, the mother of Samuel Umtiti was against her son being fond of this sport - she was afraid for his future. However, then she gave up. And now he does not regret.
Already at the age of 8 years, the boy was invited to view in FC Lyon. It was there that he spent the next 10 years.
Carier start
First, Samuel Umtiti played in the attack. Then he was transferred to midfield, followed by defense. Speaking for the youth squad, he often went on the field with a captain's armband.
He signed his first contract in 2008, on November 14. The young man was transferred to the main team in 2011, and already in 2012, on January 8, his debut took place. It was a match against FC Ducher, which Lyon won with a score of 3: 1.
In the summer of 2015, football player Samuel Umtiti extended his contract until 2019. But after a couple of months in a match with FC Saint-Etienne, he got a hip muscle rupture. Therefore, he was eliminated for two months.
In total, from 2011 to 2016, the French defender played 131 matches for Olympic Lyon and scored three goals. The statistics of Samuel Umtiti was excellent, and therefore many eminent clubs showed interest in him.
Among them was the Catalan Barcelona. As a result, it was this club that bought the young defender for 25 million euros, offering him a five-year contract.
As part of Barcelona
The debut of Samuel Umtiti in the Catalan club took place on August 18, 2016. It was a match with FC Sevilla, which took place as part of the Super Bowl.
For a while, the defender often appeared on the field, but then again got a hip muscle rupture. The recovery should have taken three weeks, but he did not play as a result for three months.
However, in December, he still ended up in the symbolic national team of the year of discovery players. This rating was compiled by UEFA (the Champions League was taken into account).
In January, a young man shared his impressions. He stated that playing at Camp Nou was a real dream. And despite the injury, he managed to adapt. In his opinion, Barcelona are the best team in the world, in which the most talented players play.
At the end of winter, he returned to the sport. And on March 4, he already scored his first goal, sending the ball into the goal of Celta. For the first incomplete season, he spent as many as 43 matches. But then, as if by some kind of evil tradition, he again got a hip injury. Only not in November, but on December 2. The defender was out of action for two months.
It is important to note that despite injuries, the player has always remained in price. Moreover, in January 2018, he was interested in Manchester City. However, Barcelona extended the contract with him for another 5 years.
Career Team
Since 2009, Samuel has been called up to the French national team. He played for all youth squads, and in 2016 he began to play for the main one.
From that moment he played 27 matches and scored 3 goals. The decision to include him in the list of eight reserve footballers at Euro 2016 was made by head coach Didier Deschamps. And not in vain. Jeremy Mathieu was injured, he was replaced by Samuel, debuting on July 3. It was a game with Iceland.
In 2018, he, together with his team, became the world champion. Moreover, he was recognized as the best player in the semifinals.
What is known about the personal life of Samuel Umtiti? There is no information in the media. However, it is much more interesting to know that in his 24 years, a football player already has 10 team trophies. Together with Lyon, he won the French Cup and Super Cup. With Barcelona - the championship of Spain, as well as two Cups and a Super Cup. And with the national team, in addition to the already mentioned title, he became the silver medalist of the European Championship 2016 and the world champion among youth in 2013. But he still has a long career ahead.