Samuel Umtiti Remains Last Barcelona Player to Win FIFA World Cup
Samuel Umtiti holds the distinction of being the most recent FC Barcelona player to win the FIFA World Cup, achieving this feat with France in 2018. His decisive goal in the semi-final against Belgium helped secure France's path to the final and eventual triumph. This achievement came at a personal cost, as Umtiti reportedly played through significant knee issues during the tournament, a decision that impacted his subsequent career. As FC Barcelona players prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including Raphinha for Brazil, the club hopes a current squad member can replicate Umtiti's success.
Samuel Umtiti remains the last FC Barcelona player to win the FIFA World Cup. The French defender achieved this milestone with his national team in 2018, playing a crucial role in France's triumph in Russia. Eight years after this victory, no active Barcelona player has matched this accomplishment.
Umtiti was a key figure in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup-winning squad. His defining moment occurred in the semi-final match against Belgium, where his solitary goal secured France's spot in the final. France ultimately went on to win their second World Cup title against Croatia.
Umtiti's World Cup success is considered a bittersweet event for Barcelona. At the time, he was a top defender and an integral part of the team's defense. However, he reportedly pushed through serious knee problems without surgery to participate in the World Cup. This decision, while bringing him football's highest trophy, also marked the peak of his career, as he struggled with persistent knee issues thereafter, eventually leading to his retirement in his early 30s.
Other Barcelona players have come close to winning the World Cup while representing the club. Lionel Messi reached the final in 2014 with Javier Mascherano but lost to Germany. Messi later won the trophy in 2022, but by then, he was no longer an FC Barcelona player. With 16 Barcelona representatives expected in the 2026 World Cup, the club has another opportunity for a current player to achieve this honor.
(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)
