Samuel Umtiti, the 31-year-old footballer, is reportedly preparing to announce the end of his professional career, according to RMC Sport.
Umtiti bravely played through France`s victorious 2018 World Cup campaign despite a knee injury, and he has been dealing with the repercussions ever since. His international career concluded a year later, and recurring knee problems have consistently limited his playing time at the club level.
In 2024, he underwent two surgical procedures and has not played since January 2024. An entire season spent on the sidelines meant that, unsurprisingly, Lille OSC did not extend the defender`s contract at the end of the last season.
L’Équipe reported last week that Umtiti had received offers, but he intended to deliberate on his decision for a week, with retirement being a very real option. The French player was then spotted at one of his former clubs, Olympique Lyonnais, on Friday.
This appearance suggested a potential return to his formative club; however, RMC Sport clarifies that this is not the case. The publication adds that the defender requested permission to use the training ground to film a personal video, a request that Olympique Lyonnais granted.
It is now believed that Umtiti is set to bring his 13-year career to a close.
