Starting France world champion in Russia in 2018, Samuel Umtiti, then one of the most prestigious defenders in the world, experienced a precipitous decline in his career.
With problems in his left knee, he spent four periods after the World Cup – two in 2018, one in 2019 and one in 2020, for a total of more than nine months – in Barcelona’s medical department.
This limited their participation in the matches of the Catalan team. In the 2016/17 seasons, his first in Spain, and 2017/18, he played 87 games. In the next three, of 56.
In the current one, which is close to the middle, the knee still didn’t bother, but Umtiti became a reserve (the defenders used have been Piqué, Araújo, Lenglet and Eric García). He was on the field in just four games (three friendlies and the Joan Gamper Trophy), starting two of them.
The low stage did not stop him from being targeted by Barcelona fans.
Many of them are dissatisfied with the permanence of the 28-year-old and 1.82 m long-handed beque, born in Cameroon, who did not want to be traded.
If he left, it would help the club to be in better financial shape, which could help keep idol Messi, who moved mid-year to Paris Saint-Germain.
Amidst this uncomfortable situation, a video that circulated in some media shows Umtiti in a verbal confrontation with Barcelona fans on the way out of training this week.
Three of them positioned themselves in front of the athlete’s luxury car, blocking his advance. They jumped up and shouted “Umtiti”. One of them, the most exalted one, slapped his hands on the hood and leapt on it.
Apparently, they weren’t being offensive, wanting attention, photos and autographs.
Umtiti, however, was irritated. With the windows closed, it honked a few times. As the fans did not move away, he advanced with exits, advanced with the car over them, who then opened up space.
The player sped up, stopped a few meters ahead and, frowning, addressed the three boys.
One of them positioned himself beside him and, ignoring his annoyance, took a selfie. Another, noticing the defender’s bad mood, said: “Don’t be upset, man.”
Annoyed, Umtiti gave them a short sermon, in Spanish: “Listen. Do you pay for my car? Why do you touch it? Respect. Do you know what respect is?”
Message passed, he returned to the car. His lesson about respect, however, was not taken in by everyone.
Before Umtiti left, a fan slammed his hand on the vehicle door, again demanding the player’s attention. Failed.
Seventh in the Spanish Championship, 13 points behind the leader (Real Madrid), Barcelona will play this Saturday (4), at home, against Betis (fifth place), and Umtiti should, as usual, warm up the bench. .
.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
