Former FC Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is considering retirement at just 31, with his chronic knee problems returning to haunt him.

The veteran French defender has played just one game in 2024 and has undergone two knee surgeries, one in February and another in August. His contract expires next summer and Lille are keen to let him go.

Umtiti appeared to have started to regain his form two seasons ago, playing regularly for Lecce on loan in 2022-23, and Lille signed him for free. However, with his last game in January, Lille have little hope of a return, and Sport say Umtiti could leave.

Umtiti looked set to be one of football’s greatest talents when he arrived at Barcelona, ​​but after postponing knee surgery to play in the 2018 World Cup, which he won, he has struggled with knee problems ever since.