Samuel Umtiti considered retirement but nearing long-awaited Lille return | OneFootball

Samuel Umtiti (31) has not played a professional match of football since January 2024. During his time away from the pitch, the 2018 World Cup winner considered retirement, according to L’Équipe, however, he is now nearing a return.

Umtiti’s career has been defined by injuries. Since the 2018 World Cup win in Russia with Les Bleus, he has struggled to stay fit and that ultimately put paid to his time at Barcelona. Now at Lille, he suffered a knee injury 21st January 2024 in a Coupe de France fixture. That injury required surgery and then another bout of surgery just before the start of the season.

Away from the pitch for so long, Umtiti did consider retirement before ultimately opting to try and make one final comeback. He is now on his way back with LOSC manager Bruno Genesio revealing that the former France international has now made a (partial) return to first-team training. “His [fitness] is evolving well,” said the Lille manager. “Now, there are still steps to take, to confirm, before we can consider seeing him [play] with us, but in any case, he seems to be on the right path.”

It remains to be seen whether Umtiti can appear for Les Dogues before the end of the campaign.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle