Otamendi announces retirement from Argentina national team

At 38 years old, the defender ended his career with the national team a few days after the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

World champion in 2022, Otamendi said goodbye to Albiceleste through a letter published on social media. In the text, he thanked the Argentine fans, his family and his teammates, in addition to stating that he leaves the team with a feeling of accomplishment.

Now, the experienced defender will continue his career at River Plate. Before returning to Argentine football, he played for Benfica for six seasons. Developed by Vélez Sarsfield, Otamendi also played for Porto, Atlético-MG, Valencia and Manchester City throughout his career.

WHAT OTAMENDI SAID

"this Thursday (23) I have to write the most difficult words of my career.

Since I was very little, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina national team shirt, it was the greatest privilege that football gave me. I defended it with my soul, with pride and with the responsibility of knowing what it means for millions of Argentines.

Fate wanted my last game to be a World Cup final. It wasn't the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high, because this group tried until the last second.

I say goodbye with the peace of mind of having left everything. I never saved a drop of effort, I never stopped believing and I never stopped feeling this shirt was the greatest honor of my life.

Thank you to the Argentine fans. Thank you for your unconditional love, for every flag, every song, for accompanying us in good times and, above all, in the most difficult ones. You made it so that every time the anthem played we felt that we were not eleven players, but millions defending the same dream.

Thanks to my family. They were my refuge in every fall and my strength in every challenge. They endured the distances, the absences, the tears and the frustrations. I never walked this path alone: we took each step together.

And to those who continue to wear this shirt this Thursday (23), I want to say something from my heart: never stop believing. There will be blows that seem impossible to overcome, but this shirt always rewards those who defend it with humility, sacrifice and love. Hold your heads up, keep fighting and don't allow a defeat to take away your will. I am convinced that the next chapter of our story will be yours.

This Thursday (23) I say goodbye to the Argentine National Team, but with immense pride for having represented my country. Because the titles remain in history, but the love for these colors lasts a lifetime.

Thank you, Argentina. Thank you for letting me fulfill my dream of being world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world. See you always, Seleção."

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