Argentina defender, Nicolas Otamendi, has announced his retirement from international football, ending a distinguished 17-year career that saw him lift the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles with the Albiceleste.
The 38-year-old centre-back bows out after earning 139 caps for Argentina and was part of the team that reached this year’s World Cup final in the United States, where the defending champions suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
“Today I have to write the most difficult words of my career,” Otamendi posted on Instagram. “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.
“Thank you, Argentina, for allowing me to fulfil the dream of becoming a world champion.”
Otamendi recently completed a move to Argentine powerhouse River Plate after bringing his 16-year European career to a close.
During his time in Europe, he featured for Porto, Valencia, Manchester City and Benfica, winning several major honours.
He represented Argentina at four FIFA World Cups, leaving the international stage as one of the country’s most decorated defenders.
