Argentina Legend Nicolás Otamendi Ends International Career After World Cup Final

Nicolás Otamendi has officially retired from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 17-year journey with Argentina. The 38-year-old defender made his final appearance as a substitute in the World Cup final, where Argentina suffered an extra-time defeat to Spain, closing the curtain on one of the most successful international careers in the nation's history.

Since making his debut, Otamendi earned 139 caps and scored eight goals while becoming a cornerstone of Argentina's defense. His achievements include winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup and lifting the Copa América trophy twice, in 2021 and 2024, establishing himself as one of the country's most decorated defenders.

Following the announcement, Otamendi reflected on the pride of representing Argentina throughout his career. He emphasized the honor of wearing the national team shirt and expressed gratitude for fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion, leaving international football with a sense of accomplishment despite the disappointment of ending his career with a World Cup final defeat.

The veteran centre-back recently returned to Argentina by joining River Plate after an accomplished club career in Europe that included successful spells with Porto, Valencia, Manchester City, and Benfica. Before stepping away from the national team, he encouraged the next generation of players to remain resilient and continue building on Argentina's recent successes.

Meanwhile, midfielder Leandro Paredes admitted he is still considering his own international future following the World Cup. The 32-year-old acknowledged that Argentina fell short against Spain in the final and stressed that any decision about continuing with the national team would require careful reflection after an unforgettable era for the squad.