Otamendi officially confirms his international retirement after a distinguished career with Argentina

According toSoccernews.

Background

Nicolas Otamendi, who played 139 international matches, ranks fifth on the list of players most represented by the Argentine national team. Otamendi is a symbol of defensive solidity and has left a clear mark on the national team's history, raising questions about how his absence will be compensated for in the future.

Why is this important?

Nicolas Otamendi's international retirement marks the end of an important era in the history of the Argentina national team, as he was one of the main pillars of the defense for 17 years. Thanks to his experience and skills, Otamendi contributed to achieving many titles, which greatly influenced the team's performance in major tournaments.

Key points

• Otamendi officially confirms his international retirement after a distinguished career with Argentina.
• Nicolas Otamendi announces his international retirement after 17 years with Argentina, where he participated in the World Cup final against Spain.
• Argentina’s Otamendi officially confirms international retirement.

Nicolas Otamendi, the Argentine defender, announced his retirement from international football after a busy career that lasted 17 years, which he concluded by participating in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. Otamendi had announced his decision last March, but officially indicated his retirement on Thursday, ending his career with the Argentina national team after 139 international matches.

Otamendi occupies fifth place on the list of players who most represented the Argentine national team, preceded on the list by Javier Zanetti and Angel Di Maria (145 matches each), Javier Mascherano (147) and Lionel Messi (207). Otamendi began his international career in May 2009, when he participated in a match against Panama that ended in a 3-1 victory for Argentina, although he had played only 11 matches in his professional career before being called up by coach Diego Maradona.

During his career, Otamendi won four titles with Argentina, including two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Otamendi played every minute of Argentina's success at the 2022 World Cup, but he only started one of his seven appearances in last summer's tournament. In the World Cup final against Spain, he came on for Lisandro Martinez in the 44th minute, but was unable to help his country achieve a second successive title.

Otamendi wrote on his Instagram account: "I find myself writing the most difficult words of my entire career. I bid farewell to the Argentina national team, but I am extremely proud to represent my country. While titles remain in history, the love of these colors remains for life. Since I was a child, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina national team shirt - it was the greatest privilege that football gave me. I defended it with all my heart, proudly, and responsibly, knowing what it means to millions of Argentines."

My last match was destined to be the World Cup final. This was not the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high, knowing that this group gave it their all until the last second. I bid you farewell, reassured that I gave everything I had. I never stopped trying, never stopped believing, and never stopped seeing this shirt as the greatest honor of my life. Thank you, Argentina, thank you for allowing me to fulfill my dream of becoming a world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world.”

Otamendi's participation in the final was his 21st appearance in a World Cup final, equaling the number achieved by Maradona. Only Messi (31 matches) has more appearances for Argentina in this tournament.

On the other hand, it seems that another player may follow the same steps as Otamendi in international retirement, and that is Leandro Paredes, who revealed that he has not yet confirmed whether he will retire internationally. Paredes has faced widespread criticism for his role in the altercation with Eric Garcia and Gavi after the final whistle in the World Cup final, and may face punishment from FIFA for his actions. "For many, this will be a time to decide whether they will continue to represent the national team," Paredes said. "It has been a wonderful journey. It is difficult to maintain this level and continue the group in this way, and there are many factors to consider. We need to take the time when making decisions. I still do not know if I am ready to continue. It is a process that needs to be thought about. A lot has been said, but Spain were better than us in the final. They are the deserved champions of the World Cup. All that remains for us is to enjoy what we have achieved over eight years. It is an honor to be part of this The team is incredible.

What's next?

With Otamendi's retirement, coach Lionel Scaloni will have to look for alternatives to strengthen the defence, which could affect the lineup in the upcoming matches. The Argentine national team may look to incorporate young players to bolster defensive depth, impacting their prospects for next season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Nicolas Otamendi announce his international retirement?

Nicolas Otamendi officially announced his international retirement on Thursday after a 17-year career.

How many international matches did Otamendi play for Argentina?

Nicolas Otamendi played 139 international matches for the Argentina national team.

What titles did Otamendi achieve with Argentina?

Otamendi won four titles with Argentina, including two Copa America titles.

What is the impact of Otamendi's retirement on Argentina's qualifying standings?

The impact of Otamendi's retirement on Argentina's qualifying standings was not mentioned in the article.

What was the last match that Otamendi played for Argentina?

The last match Otamendi played for Argentina was the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.

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