“Breaking the Myths: Umtiti Reveals the Real Messi”
Samuel Umtiti’s reflections offer a rare, honest look behind the scenes at FC Barcelona, especially regarding Lionel Messi — a player often surrounded by myths, accusations, and misconceptions. For years, critics have pushed the idea that Messi controlled every aspect of the club, deciding who played, who succeeded, and who failed. Umtiti firmly dismisses these narratives, explaining that while Messi earned the respect of teammates and coaches, he never acted as the dictator some portrayed him to be. Instead, he was a supportive teammate who helped new players, including Dembélé and Griezmann, settle into the squad. According to Umtiti, adapting to a team as unique as Barcelona was always more about understanding the system than pleasing one individual.
He also addressed the emotional side of Messi’s unexpected move to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being a former Lyon player — a club that traditionally rivals PSG — Umtiti admits he felt no bitterness or discomfort seeing Messi wear the Parisian colors. He understood the painful circumstances surrounding Messi’s Barcelona exit and believed the move was beneficial for both Messi and PSG. What impressed Umtiti most was Messi’s resilience: one day he believed he was staying at his lifelong club, and the next he was forced to uproot everything. It was a transition that required mental strength, not just footballing ability.
Umtiti went on to describe the daily intensity of training at Barcelona — a level even higher than most La Liga matches. Facing Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, and Suárez in training was like facing magic and chaos at once. Suárez, he recalls, was the type of striker defenders hated playing against: aggressive, relentless, unpredictable. Messi, on the other hand, was pure intelligence. He didn’t need tricks or speed to dominate; he simply saw the game in a way nobody else could. Umtiti explains that Messi’s genius wasn’t just technical — it was psychological. Opponents feared him the moment he stepped onto the pitch, and teammates felt the match change instantly when he entered the game.
One of the most captivating parts of Umtiti’s account is his memory of the historic Remontada against PSG — Barcelona’s legendary 6–1 comeback. He described how Luis Enrique prepared the team with extraordinary tactical precision, convincing them that scoring six goals was possible even after losing 4–0 in the first leg. Umtiti recalls the calmness in the dressing room, a confidence built not on arrogance but on preparation. The players believed. The staff believed. Even the press believed. And when PSG began to panic after Barcelona’s early goals, Umtiti could see fear taking over their defensive line. It was in that moment that he knew the comeback was no longer a miracle — it was becoming a reality.
He also spoke honestly about moments of luck and the intensity of the final minutes, describing the silence after Cavani’s goal and the explosive celebrations afterward. Neymar, full of conviction, had predicted he would score twice — and he delivered exactly as promised. The dressing room after the match was pure madness, a moment Umtiti says felt like a dream coming to life. For him, the Remontada remains a symbol of belief, unity, and the extraordinary influence of Messi and Luis Enrique on the mindset of that Barcelona squad.
