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Veteran Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi ended his long international career with the Albiceleste national team, which spanned 17 years, after last Sunday’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final (0-1 after extra time).
Otamendi, 38, made his decision official in the early hours of this morning in a long and powerful message on his Instagram page, turning the page on one of the most important pillars of Argentine football’s golden generation.
A procession shrouded in gold and immortal numbers
Otamendi began his journey with the senior national team in 2009 and since then he has made 139 international appearances, scoring 8 goals. He also helped his country win 4 major titles with his defensive stability, most notably the historic achievement of the 2022 World Cup.
Despite Argentina’s recent decline in the defensive hierarchy, he has been an active presence at the 2026 World Cup, making 7 appearances, including the last game where he replaced the injured Alessandro Martinez shortly before the end of the first half.
“The greatest honor of my life.”
Otamendi wrote in his farewell letter. “Today I have to write the most difficult words of my entire career. It has been my dream since I was young to wear the shirt of the Argentina national team and it has been the greatest privilege that football has given me.”
He added, as reported by the network RCC: “I defended this jersey with body and soul, with pride and knowing what it represents for millions of Argentines. As fate would have it, my last game was the World Cup final. We didn’t get the result we hoped for, but I leave with my head held high knowing that this group gave it their all until the last second.”
The defender continued. “I say goodbye to you with the inner calm of someone who has not spared a drop of sweat. I’ve never given up or stopped believing, and I’ve always considered wearing this shirt the greatest honor of my life.”
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A special thanks to the fans and a message to the next generation
The star, who has played for big clubs such as Benfica, Manchester City, Porto and Valencia, did not forget to thank the Argentine fans, saying:
Otamendi sent a message of motivation to future generations. “To those who will continue to wear this shirt today, I say to you from the bottom of my heart. Never stop believing. There will be hard knocks that seem impossible to overcome, but this shirt always rewards those who defend it with humility, sacrifice and love. The next chapter of our story belongs to you.”
“Today I say goodbye to the Argentine national team, but I do it with great pride, representing my country. Because the titles are written in history, but the love of these colors lasts a lifetime. Thank you Argentina, thank you for allowing me to fulfill my dream of becoming a world champion and wearing the most beautiful jersey of the national team.”
It should be noted that Otamendi’s career is limited to the international level only, as he will continue his football career in clubs after the latter moved to Argentina’s River Plate.
