'Big Sam' has arrived in the city of Barcelona
Leo, Ney, Monsieur, Capi, Gordo, Geri... hay apodos para todos en Can Barça, pero hay uno que causa respeto. El del gigante Umtiti
When ‘Big Sam’ appeared in the city, more than one person wasn’t sure. It wouldn’t be the first time a clean shaven Frenchman had arrived to carve out a future -- Christanval and Dehu as examples -- and ended up getting burnt.
However, it didn’t take long for people to realise that ‘Big Sam’ was made of sterner stuff, more solid. ‘Big Sam’, as his teammates in the French national team dubbed him at the European Championships, has held his ground since day one in Barcelona. Surprising everyone from the day of his presentation, where he never looked out of place with his display on the ball that day.
And the position that ‘Big Sam’ occupies is one where any doubt, fear or imprecision is punished. His teammates are delighted with him and the fact that beyond his mature exterior hides an innocent kid who’s settled into the jovial atmosphere.
CLOSE TO NEY AND RAFINA
He gets on really well with Rafinha and Neymar, two of the biggest jokers in the team. It’s obvious, too, that his two compatriots Lucas Digne and Jeremy Mathieu also form part of his immediate friendship group at the club.
He loves that they compare him with Carles Puyol and even has the mocked up photo of his face with the Barça legend's hair on his mobile phone.
‘Big Sam’ is a calm person, of few words, but always smiling. It’s not easy to affect him -- not even the minor car accident he had before Luis Suarez’s Golden Shoe party altered his mood -- and he won the respect and affection of his teammate’s on day one.
In the dressing room they’re clear: “Big Sam is a really good person." And ‘Big Sam’ laughs, basking in his friends’ comments. ‘Big Sam’, as if it could be any other way, is Samuel Umtiti.
