7M - Nicolas Otamendi Retires From Argentina Following World Cup Final

Following Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final, veteran central defender Nicolas Otamendi officially announced his retirement from international football, drawing the curtain on a stellar career with the national team.

The 38-year-old, who recently returned to his home country to join River Plate, confirmed his decision through a video message posted on Instagram. Over a 17-year international career, Otamendi amassed 139 caps and scored eight goals for La Albiceleste, featuring in four FIFA World Cups (2010, 2018, 2022, and 2026). His time with the national team included lifting the 2022 World Cup trophy in Qatar alongside two Copa America titles before finishing as a runner-up in the 2026 tournament.

Reflecting on his final international appearance, Otamendi expressed immense pride despite the heartbreak against Spain. He shared that representing Argentina was the greatest privilege of his footballing journey, adding that while the outcome was not what the team envisioned, he departs with his head held high knowing the squad fought until the very last second.