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World Cup winner's transfer value has dropped from €70m to €2m in just four years

Home> Football

Updated 12:53 18 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 12:54 18 Dec 2022 GMT

World Cup winner's transfer value has dropped from €70m to €2m in just four years

A cautionary tale.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

A member of France's 2018 World Cup winning squad is now worth just €2 million after reaching a record high of €70 million four years ago.

Didier Deschamps' side are looking to retain the trophy when they face Argentina in this year's World Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

France could become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. For the players involved in both triumphs, it'll make them bonafide legends.

However, one player involved in Russia during the last competition has seen his career tail off.

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Samuel Umtiti was regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world when Barcelona paid €25 million to secure his signature six-and-a-half years ago.

The centre-back helped Barcelona to La Liga glory in 2018 before playing a vital role in France's World Cup campaign later that year.

He scored the winner in a tight semi-final victory over Belgium and started alongside Raphael Varane in the final against Croatia. At the peak of his powers, Umtiti was valued at a whopping €70 million by Transfermarkt. He had the world at his feet.

Playing at that World Cup brought immediate joy for the former Lyon man, although it could've ended his career at the top level.

Umtiti celebrates winning the World Cup. (Image
Alamy)

Umtiti suffered a knee injury earlier in the title-winning season and knew surgery would rule him out of the World Cup.

He opted to power through. While he got his medal, Umtiti's been plagued by knee issues ever since.

To put Umtiti's struggles into context, he's missed 54 games through knee injuries alone since September 2018.

Other injuries mean the 29-year-old hasn't played more than 20 games in a season since 17/18. Barcelona fans started to get sick of his frequent absences with things turning incredibly nasty last season.

The Blaugrana attempted to shift Umtiti's massive wages, but he refused to move. Lionel Messi left due to Barcelona's financial situation, culminating in Umtiti being booed during a pre-season friendly.

Umtiti's time at Barcelona turned into a nightmare. (Image
Alamy)

He was even approached in the streets of Catalonia in ugly scenes. Eventually, Umtiti agreed to a new contract with Barcelona with far lower wages.

In August, he joined Serie A outfit Lecce on a season-long loan with no option to buy. He's played five games this term, failing to earn a regular spot in the first-team. Umtiti's value on Transfermarkt sits at a measly €2 million, an astonishing €68 million drop.

When you look at what other members of that France squad have gone on to achieve, it's a cautionary tale of the World Cup not guaranteeing a long time at the top.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: France, Samuel Umtiti, Football World Cup

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

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@DanMarland_

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