Samuel Umtiti had a wonderful outing at the Euro 2016 though France lost out in the finals against Portugal, but the 22-year-old who signed for Barcelona after the European Championships, got more joy than a trophy would bring.
Image: Samuel Umtiti
The agile defender born in Yaounde, Cameroon admits he took ‘a necessary risk’ joining Barcelona.
Though the France international footballer left Lyon for La Blaugrana earlier in July, he knew the world’s best football clubs were on his trail.
During the European games, Samuel told France Football that he never experienced clubs having him under their microscopes.
He spoke with AS and said: “Barca is a higher level. For me, there’s nowhere better for my progression. I know this isn’t the same world. At Barca, everything is multiplied by 10 or 100. I have to prepare for that and hope to be ready for this challenge.
“I’m calm. I know signing for Barca is a risk but it’s one I had to take. It was the right time. When I knew I had the opportunity to sign in my head it was already done and I had changed. I would have swam to Barca.”
Image: Samuel Umtiti walks with France teammates at Euro 2016.
