Samuel Umtiti (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Samuel Umtiti revealed he suffered depression after winning the 2018 World Cup. In a new documentary, he explains how fear and isolation took over before retiring in 2024.
Samuel Umtiti became a national hero in 2018 when France lifted their second World Cup. Then a key defender for Barcelona, he was an undisputed starter throughout the tournament. But in the months that followed, the triumph turned into a period of deep personal suffering. Umtiti has now revealed that he struggled with depression — a condition that left him afraid to interact with people or even leave his home.
His story is detailed in the new L’Équipe documentary Têtes plongeantes, released on Tuesday night. In a rare and emotional interview, the former France international opens up more than ever before about the mental-health crisis that marked the second half of his career.
“I think it’s essential to talk about this subject, which is very important to me,” Umtiti said. “I lived it, it hurt me, and I think that with our visibility we can help others — that’s why we made this documentary. Hearing the young people speak helped us open up too. These are very personal things, but we needed to do it so everyone felt comfortable in our discussion circles. Mental health is still quite a taboo topic in football. But we want people to understand that attention and care are needed from a young age.”
“It did me enormous good”
Umtiti explained that sharing his experience publicly was a turning point.
“It did me enormous good. These were topics I had never dared to discuss. Talking with people who were going through the same thing helped me so much. At certain moments I was able to tell myself: ‘You know, Sam, there are worse things.’ I lived through difficult situations, but others suffered even more.”
While he has not fully disclosed what triggered his depression, Umtiti suggested that injuries — especially long-standing knee problems — played a significant role.
“It’s very personal. Very personal. I will talk about it when I’m ready. There were problems, like the knee issues. Medically, some things could have been handled better, but many things were involved and I think mistakes were made. It’s part of my story now, and I’m no longer ashamed to talk about it. When I feel ready, I will explain what I lived through and why it all happened.”
“I thought it was temporary — but it lasted a year”
Umtiti, who played professionally for Barcelona, Lyon and Lille, retired in October 2024. He admitted that recognising the seriousness of his condition took time.
“At first it was everything except that. I thought it was just a moment — something that would last a week, then a month, then two, then three, then a year. And when you’re alone and don’t talk to anyone, it’s very hard to put it into words. That’s why I encourage people to speak, to take that time. That’s why we made this documentary. The main thing was to make young people understand: ‘Go on, speak.’ You can do it. You won’t seem crazy or different. Everyone goes through this.”
Umtiti’s candid testimony sheds light on one of football’s most hidden struggles — a reminder that even world champions can suffer in silence.