Argentina: Nicolás Otamendi also retires

Otamendi says farewell

World Today at 10:09

Add Foot Africa on Google

Argentina: Nicolás Otamendi also retires

06.10.26 FT Friendly International

Argentina

Benin

Last night, Nicolás Otamendi and Lionel Messi brought their chapters with the Argentina national team to a close together.

Having announced his retirement after the 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain, Nicolás Otamendi played one last match for La Albiceleste last night, against Benin (3-0). He did so in order to share Messi’s farewell. The evening became even more symbolic when Otamendi opened the scoring with a header from a cross by his captain.

The defender then posted a lengthy message on social media: “Today, we bring this chapter to an end together as players of this great Argentina national team.” He also paid tribute to Messi: “The best player of all time, the one who taught us never to stop believing, to get back up after every setback and to defend this shirt with our hearts.”

🚨📲 Nicolas Otamendi on IG: “Today, we bring this chapter to an end together as players of this great Argentina National Team. "It’s hard to put into words everything this moment means. Wearing this shirt was, is, and always will be one of the greatest sources of pride in my life. Every training session, every match, every trip, every hug, and every time I heard the anthem will remain in my memory forever. "And if this day was already special, sharing it with Leo Messi makes it even more unforgettable. The greatest player of all time, the one who taught us to never stop believing, to get back up after every setback, and to defend this shirt with our hearts. "What a privilege it has been to share part of this journey and to witness a story that will live forever in football and in the hearts of all Argentines. "Today we close a chapter, but everything we experienced will remain forever. I leave with pride, gratitude, and the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I had the honor of representing my country. "Thank you, Argentina, for everything. Thank you for making me feel this pride of wearing the sky blue and white. "A shirt for a lifetime. 🇦🇷✨”
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) October 7, 2026

Also read: Portugal: Luka Modric reacts to the Cristiano Ronaldo affair

Otamendi had already announced the end of his international career five days after the World Cup final, explaining at the time that it was time to leave the national team after 139 appearances and eight goals. This final match therefore allowed him to make one last appearance alongside Messi and wear the Argentina shirt for the final time. “What a privilege it has been to share part of this journey and to witness a story that will live forever in football and in the hearts of all Argentines,” he wrote, before adding: “Today, we close a chapter, but everything we experienced will remain. I leave with pride, gratitude and the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I represented my country.”

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.