An emotional farewell after 17 years
Nicolás Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football, ending a distinguished Argentina career that began in 2009 and concluded with defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
The 38-year-old defender confirmed his decision in a video posted on Instagram, just four days after Argentina lost 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium.
“Today, I have to write the most difficult words of my entire career,” Otamendi said.
“From a very young age, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina shirt. It was the greatest privilege football gave me. I defended it with my soul, with pride and with the responsibility of knowing what it means to millions of Argentines.”
According to EFE’s report on Otamendi’s retirement, the centre-back leaves the national team after making 139 appearances and scoring eight goals across a 17-year international career.
Final appearance ends in disappointment
Otamendi’s final match came in the biggest fixture of all, although Argentina were unable to retain the trophy they had won in Qatar four years earlier.
Spain secured the title through Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal, bringing a painful end to Otamendi’s fourth World Cup campaign.
“Fate wanted my last match to be a World Cup final,” he said. “It was not the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high because this group tried until the final second.
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“I say goodbye with the peace of mind that I gave everything. I never held back a single drop of effort, I never stopped believing and I never stopped feeling that this shirt was the greatest honour of my life.”
Otamendi represented Argentina at the 2010, 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups. His international honours include the 2022 World Cup, the Copa América titles of 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.
A message for the supporters and his successors
The former Manchester City and Benfica defender also thanked the Argentina supporters who followed the team through both triumph and disappointment.
“You made us feel that every time the national anthem played, we were not just eleven players, but millions defending the same dream,” he said.
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Otamendi then addressed the players who will continue representing the national team, urging them not to allow the pain of the final defeat to define Argentina’s future.
“Never stop believing,” he said. “There will be blows that seem impossible to overcome, but this shirt always rewards those who defend it with humility, sacrifice and love.
“Lift your heads, keep fighting and do not allow a defeat to steal your hope. I am convinced that the next chapter of our history will be yours.”
Otamendi closed his statement with one final tribute to the shirt he had represented for almost two decades.
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“Titles remain in history, but the love for these colours lasts a lifetime. Thank you, Argentina. Thank you for allowing me to fulfil the dream of becoming a world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world. Farewell, national team.”
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