#3. Legendary Roger Milla tried to convince him to play for Cameroon
Samuel Umtiti was born in Cameroon capital Yaounde before moving to Lyon in when he was aged two. Legendary player Roger Milla was sent to Lyon last December by the Cameroon FA to convince the new Barcelona defender to represent his country of birth where he met the player along with his mother and elder brother.
"If he wants to play in a World Cup, he should join Cameroon now," the 64-year-old former striker had told the family. If he calls us in eight years we won't want him then as there will already be players in his position."
However, the 22-year-old’s mind was already made up as he wanted to wear the blue of France in the future. With injuries to Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu, he earned a place in the France squad for the Euros, putting up stellar performances for Les Blues when he got the chance.
#4.He started out as a forward in his academy days
Umtiti is a versatile defender who can play well with the ball at his feet, actually, he begun his days as a centre-forward in the Olympique Lyon academy. He was gradually moved further back over the years after his talent at defending was identified and his skill with the ball enables him to play as a left-back too.
Umtiti likes to commit and win a ball back quickly from his opponents and is adept at making both short and long passes forward. His attack-minded approach, owing to his time as a forward in the past, would go a long way if he is to cement a spot in the Barcelona starting line-up.
