Nicolas Otamendi has been one of many cornerstones and leaders of Argentina throughout some of the profitable eras within the nationwide crew’s historical past, however the veteran defender has now introduced that the 2026 World Cup will mark the top of his worldwide profession. With that call confirmed, Lionel Messi can be left as the only real remaining member of the squad that completed as runner-up on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Argentina are set to bid farewell to their house followers earlier than departing for North America in June, with friendlies in opposition to Mauritania and Zambia organized for the March worldwide break. Referred to as up for each video games, Otamendi spoke to reporters upon arriving in Argentina, addressing his future with the Albiceleste instantly.
When requested concerning the call-up and his mindset heading into the World Cup, the 38-year-old was unambiguous about his plans: “After the World Cup, my time with the nationwide crew will formally come to an finish. I’m glad, I’m having fun with the second, and now it’s time to get to work.“
When additional pressed on whether or not he would return for the September worldwide break to obtain a farewell from the followers, Otamendi once more left no room for doubt. “A cycle with the nationwide crew is closing; this can be my final World Cup, and after that, I’ll simply be one other fan,” he stated, confirming that the event in North America can be his ultimate look for the Albiceleste.
Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winners Medal.
Set to expertise his final World Cup alongside the person who has been his worldwide teammate for therefore lengthy, Otamendi was requested whether or not he and Messi discuss this ultimate chapter collectively. “We don’t discuss that. We simply reside it after we get collectively; we reside within the second and benefit from the alternative, the coaching grounds, and being collectively as soon as once more,” he replied.
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Including a bittersweet word to his farewell tour, FIFA has confirmed that Otamendi can be required to serve a one-game suspension on the World Cup, stemming from a crimson card he acquired in Argentina’s ultimate CONMEBOL qualifier in opposition to Ecuador. The ban means he’ll miss the Albiceleste’s group stage opener in opposition to Algeria on June 16, although the event itself, unfold throughout Canada, Mexico and the USA, will undoubtedly function a becoming ultimate stage for one among Argentina’s most embellished worldwide defenders.
Messi, the one one left from the 2014 World Cup squad
Otamendi made his World Cup debut in 2010 at simply 22 years previous underneath Diego Maradona, launching a exceptional worldwide profession that has run in parallel with Messi’s for one of the best a part of 16 years. Their first unforgettable shared second got here in Brazil in 2014, when Argentina reached the ultimate on their rival’s house soil, solely to fall in additional time to Germany in a match that left the nation heartbroken.
From that time, the journey was stuffed with highs and lows: consecutive Copa America ultimate defeats, Messi’s transient retirement from worldwide responsibility and subsequent return, a bruising early exit on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after which the golden period that introduced the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the Finalissima in opposition to Italy, and the crowning second of the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Coach Alejandro Sabella and Lionel Messi of Argentina seems to be on along with his crew after being defeated by Germany 1-0.
A lot of these 2014 squad members have already hung up their worldwide boots, with Angel Di Maria being one of many final to take action, stepping away after the 2024 Copa America in the USA. Otamendi will comply with that very same path after the 2026 World Cup, and whereas Messi’s personal future past the event stays undecided, the Inter Miami star will stand alone because the final surviving hyperlink to that squad from 12 years in the past.
