River Plate · CONMEBOL Sudamericana · Defender · #30 · Argentina · 38 yrs
Having already announced he would retire internationally after the World Cup, Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi has now confirmed his decision. The post Argentina’s Otamendi officially confirms international retirement appeared first on SoccerNews.
The veteran defender confirmed his decision after Argentina's heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, closing one of the most successful chapters in the history of the national team while leaving behind a legacy matched by only a select group of soccer icons. Nicolás Otamendi has officially brought the curtain down on his remarkable Argentina career, ending an international journey that spanned 17 years and included World Cup glory alongside Lionel Messi. The veteran defender confirmed his decision after Argentina’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, closing one of the most successful chapters in the history of the national team while leaving behind a legacy matched by only a select group of soccer icons. The River Plate defender, who recently returned to his homeland after an accomplished European career, chose to announce his farewell through an emotional social media message. His departure marks the end of an era for Argentina, with one of the squad’s most dependable leaders stepping away after helping guide the national team through its most successful modern period. Otamendi revealed that the World Cup final against Spain would be remembered as the final appearance of his international career. Although Argentina fell 1-0 after extra time, the 38-year-old insisted he leaves with pride rather than regret. On social media, the defender reflected on the emotions surrounding his final match with the national team. “Today I have to write the hardest words of my entire career. Since childhood, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina national team shirt. It was the greatest privilege that football gave me.” Otamendi admitted the ending was painful but said the squad could walk away knowing it fought until the very end. “As it happened, my last match was the World Cup final. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high, because this team fought until the very last second.” A place among Argentina’s greatest Otamendi’s farewell also confirmed another remarkable achievement in his career. He finishes with 139 appearances for Argentina, placing him fifth on the nation’s all-time appearance list behind only Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Ángel Di María, and Javier Zanetti. That milestone highlights the consistency he displayed since making his debut in May 2009, becoming one of the longest-serving players in Argentina’s modern history. Across those appearances, Otamendi scored eight goals and contributed three assists, while representing his country in four FIFA World Cups. He also featured in multiple Copa América tournaments and became one of Lionel Scaloni’s most trusted defenders during Argentina’s golden generation. A career filled with major trophies Otamendi leaves international football with an outstanding list of achievements. He helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, lifted the Copa América twice in 2021 and 2024, captured the 2022 Finalissima, and finished as runner-up at the 2026 World Cup. His performances during the victorious 2022 World Cup campaign established him as one of the team’s defensive leaders. Four years later, he once again helped Argentina reach the final, even though the dream of defending the title ended against Spain. The defender also produced memorable moments throughout his career, including the famous winning goal against Brazil at the Maracanã during World Cup qualifying, a result that handed Brazil its first-ever home defeat in the competition.
Nicolas Otamendi announced his retirement from Argentina with a total of 139 appearances, raising the question of how many caps Lionel Messi has for the national team. Nicolas Otamendi brought his international career to a close following Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, becoming the first player from that squad to formally announce his retirement from the national team. At 38 years old, the defender closes a run with La Albiceleste that stretched back nearly two decades. Otamendi’s farewell inevitably invites comparisons to his longtime teammate Lionel Messi, whose own international career has spanned even longer and produced a far higher number of appearances. While Otamendi walks away with 139 caps, Messi remains the benchmark at the top of Argentina’s all-time list with 207 appearances. The two were teammates through nearly the entirety of Argentina‘s most successful era, sharing the field for a run of titles that redefined the national team’s standing in world football. Otamendi’s departure marks the end of that generation’s presence as an active player, even as Messi’s own future with the team remains a lingering question after this tournament. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por Twitter Oficial: @Notamendi30 (@nicolasotamendi30) Otamendi’s numbers and titles alongside Messi Otamendi made his Argentina debut on May 20, 2009, in a friendly against Panama under Diego Maradona, going on to make 139 appearances and score 7 goals over more than 17 years with the national team. His true rise to prominence came under Lionel Scaloni, becoming one of the defensive anchors of the most successful cycle in the team’s modern history. Alongside Messi, Otamendi won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa America, a trophy collection matched by very few players in the national team’s history. Argentina’s most capped players of all time With his retirement finalized, here’s where Otamendi lands among Argentina’s most capped players ever: PlayerCapsDebutLionel Messi20708/17/2005Javier Mascherano14707/16/2003Angel Di Maria14509/06/2008Javier Zanetti14311/16/1994Nicolas Otamendi13905/20/2009Roberto Ayala11411/16/1994Diego Simeone10407/14/1988Sergio Aguero10009/02/2006Oscar Ruggeri9705/12/1983Sergio Romero9609/10/2009Rodrigo De Paul9410/11/2018Diego Maradona9002/27/1977
Nicolas Otamendi had confirmed prior to the World Cup that it would be his final tournament with Argentina, who lost to Spain in the final. The post Otamendi content Argentina gave everything at his final World Cup appeared first on SoccerNews.
After an emotional ending to the 2026 World Cup, the question surrounding Messi’s international career has become one of soccer’s biggest stories, with the next decision from the Argentina icon carrying enormous weight. The final chapter of Lionel Messi’s World Cup journey arrived with heartbreak, but Argentina has already made its feelings about the legendary captain’s future clear. After an emotional ending to the 2026 World Cup, the question surrounding Messi’s international career has become one of soccer’s biggest stories, with the next decision from the Argentina icon carrying enormous weight. Messi’s sixth World Cup ended with La Albiceleste falling short against Spain in the final, but his performances throughout the tournament reminded the world why he remains one of the greatest players in history. The 2026 World Cup was expected by many to be the 39-year-old’s final appearance on soccer’s biggest stage, especially after he previously admitted that another tournament at his age would be extremely difficult. However, the Argentina captain once again showed that his career cannot be predicted easily, producing one of his best-ever World Cup campaigns at 39 years old. Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, leading Argentina to another World Cup final after already winning the trophy in 2022. Although Spain’s defense limited him in the final, his influence throughout the competition was undeniable. “I don’t know. The truth is, I’m not thinking about that right now. It seems a bit far off but, as I said, I’m living one day at a time and focused on the present,” he said before the tournament. Two teams repeated titles in the past La Albiceleste captain has repeatedly explained that his future depends on his physical condition and whether he can still contribute at the highest level. That approach has kept the door open for another international chapter, even after the disappointment of losing the World Cup final. Argentina has one big wish for Lionel Messi According to Marca, the Argentina Football Association (AFA) hopes Messi will continue with the national team until at least the 2028 Copa America. The tournament would provide another opportunity for Messi to represent Argentina and potentially end his international career on his own terms. “Argentina want Messi to keep wearing the Tango shirt for the foreseeable future,” reported Marca, while noting that nothing has been decided regarding the player’s next move. The timing also fits perfectly with Messi’s current club situation. His contract with Inter Miami runs through 2028, meaning the Copa America could become a realistic final international tournament if he chooses to continue. MIAMI GAAngel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina celebrate with the trophy after the team’s victory in the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final Argentina’s next major challenge after the World Cup will be preparing for the upcoming international calendar, including friendly matches and future competitions. With the team already qualified for the 2030 World Cup as one of the symbolic hosts alongside Paraguay and Uruguay, Messi would not need to carry the same qualifying burden if he remains involved. Messi’s emotional World Cup farewell creates more questions The scenes after the World Cup final only increased speculation about Messi’s future. After Spain defeated Argentina, Messi collected his runner-up medal before breaking down in tears as he walked away from the pitch at MetLife Stadium. The emotional reaction showed how much the tournament meant to Messi, even though his legacy was already secure before the final whistle. He had transformed his international career after years of criticism and helped Argentina win the Copa America in 2021, the Finalissima in 2022, the World Cup in 2022 and another Copa America in 2024. MESSI CRYING LMFAOOOO pic.twitter.com/ARynADgPDW— ⭐︎ (@satorutismz) July 19, 2026 Could Messi continue until 2030 World Cup? A
Paulo Dybala managed to be one of the protagonists of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, he has not been included by head coach Lionel Scaloni in Argentina’s roster for the 2026 edition, making him a notable absence. After winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina arrive as one of the favorites to win the 2026 edition. To achieve that, they make their debut in the competition today against Algeria. Despite their veteran status, Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi are part of the roster that will play in this tournament. However, Paulo Dybala emerges as La Albiceleste’s major absence, as he remains a starter for AS Roma and does not have any injuries. Paulo Dybala has been left out of Argentina’s roster for the 2026 World Cup due to tactical decisions. Despite still playing for AS Roma, he is already 32 years old and never consolidated himself as an undisputed starter under Lionel Scaloni. Because of this, he has decided to bet on different players, as Lionel Messi emerges as the starter in that position and they are looking for promising players as his replacement. “Paulo is a great player, it goes without saying… There are kids who make their debut and show important things. In our case, there are kids who have consolidated themselves in that area of the field and deserve an opportunity… There is no doubt about the quality he has, we care about him and he is a fantastic guy, but we look at the present and what others can offer us looking toward the future,” Scaloni revealed, via TyC Sports. Along with the decision to bet on promising players, Dybala is coming off a season marked by injuries. After suffering two muscle injuries and two knee injuries, he missed 19 matches with AS Roma. Because of this, he played only 27 matches, scoring three goals and providing eight assists. Despite this, he appears close to renewing his contract, with this being a key step in fighting for his return to Argentina by gaining more playing time. Paulo Dybala of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup winning trophy. Thiago Almada and Nico Paz endanger Dybala’s Argentina future Seeking a generational transition, head coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to bet on very young players for the 2026 World Cup. Although Argentina still have some veterans in the squad, they have incorporated Thiago Almada and Nico Paz as key parts of their sporting project. Because of this, Paulo Dybala’s return to La Albiceleste could become more complicated than expected. Throughout the 2026 World Cup, Almada and Paz could gain significant prominence. As both are creative players with plenty of pace, they could be the key to Lionel Messi’s future retirement. If they manage to shine over the coming years, Dybala may not return to La Albiceleste, as he would already be 35 years old by the 2028 Copa América.
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