Nicolás Otamendi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, ending an international career that spanned 17 years and yielded some of the country's greatest modern honours. The 38-year-old defender confirmed his decision on Thursday, four days after his final match in the 2026 World Cup final, which Argentina lost to Spain on 20 July.
Otamendi accumulated 139 caps since his debut in 2009, forming a mainstay of the defence through a golden era. He helped secure the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, consecutive Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.
The centre-back remains under contract with River Plate until the end of 2027 and will continue his club career in Buenos Aires.