Samuel Umtiti declared on Canal + that in Barcelona “I spent four years in prison, not only at a sporting level, but also in everyday life”
The defender, on loan from Barça to Lecce, added that soon “I felt bad and realized that no one believed in me anymore”
Samuel Umtiti launched some very hard attacks related to his stay at Barça in an interview with Canal+. The defender, who is on loan from FC Barcelona to Lecce, came to affirm that in Catalonia felt like “in a prison”.
umtiti He commented that at Barça “all I needed was to feel appreciated, useful and respected. In Catalonia I spent four years in prison, not only at a sporting level, but also in everyday life.”
A very harsh statement that I try to justify: “At first, after my move to Spain, I felt appreciated and played at a good level. Then I began to feel distrust, I felt bad and I realized that no one believed in me anymore& rdquor;.
happiness in italy
Now, however, he says that he feels happy in southern Italy, fighting with Lecce to avoid relegation to Serie B. “It was a challenge for me. I know that saving yourself, in these lands, is worth a championship. It’s good because here I found my smile again and I am grateful to society for that”.
Umtiti is enjoying his season, in which he has once again played a leading role and is not making any plans. “Now I only think about avoiding relegation. Some time ago, my friend Lacazette came to see me and we thought that, before we retire, it would be good to play a little more together.”
His contract with Barça expires in 2026after a renewal to defer the payment of his high salary, and he does not seem willing to return at all: “I want to continue feeling good, I did it in Italy. I love the language, food and fashion”.