Former FC Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has opened up about the unusual measures the club employed to manage the punctuality of star winger Ousmane Dembélé.
In a recent interview, Umtiti disclosed that he was tasked with calling Dembélé every morning to check whether he was awake and aware of his training schedule.
“It was especially to know if he knew at what time he had to come to training,” Umtiti explained.
He clarified that his role was intended to help the young winger, who often arrived late by 10, 20, or even 50 minutes an issue that caused friction with the coaching staff.
“I was doing it for his good, because coming with 10, 20, 50 minutes of delay was NOT A PROBLEM for him, except for the coach,” Umtiti added.
The revelation highlights both the challenges Barcelona faced in managing Dembélé’s professional habits and the unique interventions teammates sometimes undertake to support each other.
Umtiti’s candid comments offer an inside look at the daily operations within a top football club and underscore the fine line between personal responsibility and team-enforced discipline.
Fans and analysts have reacted with a mix of amusement and concern, with some praising Umtiti’s dedication to helping a teammate while others question the effectiveness of such methods in elite football environments.
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