Argentina star announces international retirement in emotional statement days after World Cup final defeat
Argentina defender, Nicolas Otamendi, has announced that he is retiring from international work at the age of 38.
The former Manchester City defender revealed the news to fans on social media on Thursday, four days after the Albiceleste lost to Spain in the World Cup final.
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Otamendi did not start the match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey but came on at the end of the first half after Lisandro Martinez was injured.
He is calling time on his international career as he has made 139 appearances for Argentina.
‘With my heart and soul’
“Today, I have to write the most difficult words of my entire career,” Otamendi said on Instagram alongside a video showing his national team highlights.
“Since I was a little boy, I dreamed of wearing the jersey of the national team of Argentina; it was the greatest privilege that football gave me.
“I defended it with my heart and soul, with pride, and with the responsibility of knowing what it means to millions of Argentines.
“Of course it would mean that my last game was the final of the World Cup. It was not the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high, knowing that this team did everything until the last second.
“I say goodbye with the peace of mind that comes from leaving everything on the field.
“I never held back, I never stopped believing, and I never stopped feeling that wearing this jersey is a great honor in my life.
“Thank you to the fans of Argentina. Thank you for the unconditional love, for all the flags, for all the songs, and for standing with us in the good times and—above all—in the most difficult times.
“He made it so that whenever the song plays, we feel like eleven players, but like millions defending the same dream.
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“Thank you to my family. You were my refuge from all obstacles and my strength from all challenges. You endured distance, absence, tears, and frustration. I did not walk this path alone; we took every step together.
“And to those who continue to wear this jersey today, I want to say something from the bottom of my heart: don’t stop believing.
“There will be blows that seem impossible to overcome, but this jersey always rewards those who defend it with humility, sacrifice and love.
“Be strong, keep fighting, don’t let defeat steal your hope. I am sure that the next chapter of our history is yours.”
Otamendi’s career in Argentina
Former Porto, Benfica and Valencia player Otamendi received his first call-up to the national team by soccer icon Diego Maradona, starting in a friendly against Panama in May 2009.
Otamendi made the squad for their 2010 World Cup campaign that ended in the quarter-finals but did not represent his country at the next World Cup four years later.
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A move to top-flight Man City helped Otamendi get back into the reckoning as he played in the 2018, 2022 and most recent editions of the 2026 tournament.
The undoubted highlight of his international career came in Qatar where Argentina became world champions for the third time as they beat France in a tense match in December 2022. Otamendi played every minute of every match for Argentina.
Along with the glory of the World Cup, Otamendi tasted the success of the Copa America in both 2021, which was won on Brazilian soil, and in 2024.
But Otamendi was unable to help his nation secure back-to-back world titles with an embarrassing end to Argentina due to an unfortunate incident that saw team-mate Leandro Paredes throw the Spanish players immediately after the final whistle.
Otamendi is still determined to continue his club career; He did his job with River Plate as he joined them in May on a one-year contract.
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