France World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti retires at 31

Paris, Sept 16: Former France defender Samuel Umtiti, a World Cup winner in 2018, has retired from soccer.

The 31-year-old Umtiti, who also helped Barcelona win two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies, has been without a club since he left Ligue 1 team Lille at the end of last season.

“After having lived an intense career with its highs and lows, the time has come to say goodbye,” Umtiti said on his Instagram account on Monday. “I gave everything with passion and I regret nothing.”

Umtiti played 31 times for France, and took part in the 2016 home European Championship. He scored four goals, including the winner in the 1-0 defeat of Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semifinals.

“Sam, who joined the French national team for Euro 2016, played an important role in our conquest of the World Cup title in Russia,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.

“Everyone will remember his headed goal that allowed us to beat Belgium and qualify for the final. I also recall his partnership with Raphaël, his defensive solidity, his fighting spirit. His knee was already causing him pain, yet he held on with exemplary courage until the very end.”

He is the fifth 2018 World Cup winner to retire after Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami, Raphaël Varane and Steve Mandanda.

Umtiti started his professional career with boyhood club Lyon, where he won the 2012 French Cup. But in recent years he struggled with injuries and made only a few appearances for Lille.

“I tried everything in Lille to make a comeback,” he said. “Few people know how hard I tried, but my body could not keep up.” (AP)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Brits, Luus fire South Africa Women to six-wicket win over New Zealand

Indore, Oct 6: Tazmin Brits hit a sublime 101...

BFI Cup: Ankushita, Arundhati strike gold; Husamuddin, Vishwanath enter men’s finals

Chennai, Oct 6: Former Youth World Champions Ankushita Boro...

Nepal’s death toll due to landslides and floods reaches 60

Kathmandu, Oct 6: The death toll in Nepal due...

3 dead as old residential building collapses

Gir Somnath (Gujarat), Oct 6: Three persons were killed...

Death toll in north Bengal landslides, floods rise to 28

Darjeeling/ Siliguri/ Kolkata, Oct 6: The toll in the...

Elections in Bihar on Nov 6, 11

New Delhi, Oct 6: Bihar will go to polls...

Surge in road mishaps: Minister calls for stricter traffic rules in Ri-Bhoi

Shillong, Oct 6: Two back-to-back fatal road mishaps within...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories