Former Barcelona captain reveals internal tensions that destroyed his career - 'We weren't in agreement with the club' | Barca Universal

"After the World Cup, I wanted to take some time to find out exactly what I had and make the right decisions about my treatment. We weren't necessarily in agreement with the club, so I decided to look elsewhere, to see specialists, so that everyone could give me their opinion. Most of them told me that I didn't need to have surgery. In the end, Barcelona listened to my choice, to what I wanted."

"I sought other opinions, I asked for additional consultations... and almost all the specialists told me that I did not need surgery."

Samuel Umtiti retired at 32 after persistent knee problems that began to unravel following the 2018 World Cup. He needed time to understand his condition and sought multiple specialist opinions, with most advising against surgery. Barcelona ultimately respected his choice, but the following seasons were marked by recurring setbacks, limited playing time, and a growing disconnect with the club. The prolonged struggle took a severe physical and mental toll on Umtiti. He experienced internal frustrations and felt unfairly judged by people who did not know the full circumstances surrounding his situation.

Read at Barca Universal