Only Lionel Messi and the three legends stand above 2022 World Cup winner Nicolas Otamendi after his emotional retirement from Argentina.
Nicolás Otamendi has officially brought the curtain down on his incredible Argentine careerending an international tour that spanned 17 years and included World Cup glory and Lionel Messi. The veteran full-back confirmed his decision after Argentina’s heartbreaking loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, closing one successful chapter in the national team’s history while leaving a legacy associated with a select group of soccer icons.
The River Plate defender, who recently returned to his homeland after a successful spell in Europe, chose to announce his farewell with an emotional social media message. His departure marks the end of an era for Argentina, with one of the club’s most trusted leaders leaving after helping guide the national team to its most successful modern era.
Otamendi revealed that the final game of the World Cup against Spain will be remembered as the last one he played in the whole world. Although Argentina fell 1-0 after extra timethe 38-year-old insisted that he leave with pride rather than regret.
In social media, the defender showed the emotions associated with his last game with the national team. “Today I have to write the most difficult words in my career. Since childhood, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina national team shirt. It was a great honor that football gave me.”
Otamendi admitted that the end was painful but said that the squad can leave knowing that they fought until the end. “As it happened, my last game was the World Cup final.
It is one of the largest areas in Argentina
Otamendi’s farewell confirmed another remarkable achievement in his career. He ended up playing 139 games for Argentina, placing him fifth on the nation’s all-time list behind only Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Ángel Di María and Javier Zanetti.
That milestone highlights the consistency he has shown since his debut May 2009becoming one of the longest serving players in Argentina’s modern history.
Within those circumstances, Otamendi scored eight goals and added three assistswhile representing his country in four FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also appeared in several Copa América tournaments and became one of Lionel Scaloni’s most trusted defenders during Argentina’s golden generation.
A job full of big lips
Otamendi leaves international football with an impressive list of achievements. He helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, lifted the Copa América twice in 2021 and 2024, captured the 2022 Finalissima, and finished as runner-up in the 2026 World Cup.
The way he played during the campaign to win the 2022 World Cup made him one of the leaders who defended the team. Four years later, he again helped Argentina reach the final, although the dream of defending the title ended with Spain.
The defender has also produced memorable moments throughout his career, including the famous winning goal against Brazil at the Maracanã during a World Cup qualifier, a result that handed Brazil their first defeat at home in the competition.
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