Nicolás Otamendi has brought his international career to a close, retiring from the Argentina national team on Thursday following 139 appearances — a journey that ended in heartbreak at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.
A farewell shaped by the final whistle
The 38-year-old centre-back, who recently returned to Argentina with River Plate, confirmed his retirement through a video posted on Instagram. The announcement came days after Argentina fell to Spain in the World Cup Final — a defeat that brought the curtain down on one of the most decorated international careers in recent memory.
Otamendi reflected on the loss with dignity, acknowledging that fate had granted him an extraordinary final stage.
