Revealed: Umtiti broke down into tears after a tense personal meeting with player

After a summer full of rumours that Samuel Umtiti would end up leaving Barcelona, the 27-year-old finds himself in the squad for the 2021/22 season. Mundo Deportivo's reputable Fernando Polo now reveals how it has been possible.

In mid-August, Umtiti requested a meeting with the club to explain why he didn't want to leave Camp Nou. Top officials like Joan Laporta, Rafael Yuste (vice-president) and Mateu Alemany (director of football) were all present, it's explained.

Laporta started by pressuring the player, pointing out the fact that he has barely played since 2018 and that the current coaching staff doesn't count on Samuel.

The Frenchman responded that the club's medical poor medical services have played a big part in him being unable to reach his best form following his injury from three years ago.

Umtiti explained that the surgery the club offered was too dangerous and he wasn't willing to risk it. Besides, the doctors have done a poor job in helping him recover, unable to find the 'key' to his problem.

The 27-year-old then claimed that he had to find a medical specialist on his own to help him treat his injury, and that he was in a much better condition compared to earlier. Reports do confirm that Big Sam has improved significantly since starting to work with a personal physio.

When the Frenchman finished, Laporta agreed with Umtiti and told him that he deserves another chance. The president admitted that Barca perhaps didn't do enough to help the player when he most needed it.

What's more, Laporta reportedly promised to talk to Ronald Koeman so that the coach gives Samuel another chance to prove himself.

Finally, Mundo Deportivo report that the centre-back broke down into tears after Laporta's words, and the two shared a hug.

Now, it only remains to be seen whether Koeman will indeed give the defender another try. Umtiti played a few matches in the pre-season but has been ignored from the three official matches the Catalans have played so far.