Samuel Umtiti Apologizes to Belgium Seven Years Later

On July 10, 2018, a pivotal moment unfolded in French football history when France faced Belgium in the World Cup semi-finals. That night, Belgium, having defeated both Japan and Brazil earlier in the tournament, were eager to reach their first World Cup final. However, in the 51st minute, a corner from Antoine Griezmann was met by Samuel Umtiti, who scored with a powerful header, propelling France into the final. They eventually clinched their second World Cup title by defeating Croatia 4-2. Seven years later, Umtiti issued an apology to Belgian supporters during an interview with DAZN Belgium.

“To all Belgians, I am truly sorry, but I did it for my nation. You had a great team. We were the best, having won that competition, but you had an incredible team; you should be proud of your journey. There can only be one winner, but be proud of your players and what they achieved during this tournament. That’s what matters most,” Umtiti remarked. Plagued by recurring injuries throughout his career, he ultimately retired last September.