Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 17-year career with the Albiceleste.
The 38-year-old center-back made 139 appearances for Argentina and leaves the national team as one of its most decorated defenders, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles.
Otamendi's final appearance came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in the United States, where Argentina suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain.
In an emotional message shared on Instagram, Otamendi reflected on his farewell:
"Today I have to write the most difficult words of my career. As fate would have it, my last match was a World Cup final. It wasn't the result we wanted, but I'm leaving with my head held high, knowing that this team gave it their all right up to the very last second."
He also expressed gratitude to his country, adding: "Thank you, Argentina, for allowing me to fulfil the dream of becoming a world champion."
Otamendi represented Argentina in four FIFA World Cups and played a key role in the team's recent golden era under Lionel Scaloni.
At club level, the veteran defender recently returned to Argentina after completing a successful 16-year career in Europe, where he featured for Porto, Valencia, Manchester City, and Benfica before joining River Plate.
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