Nicolas Otamendi has retired from international football, ending a decorated 17-year career that established him as one of Argentina's most accomplished defenders and a central figure in the team's most successful era in decades.
The 38-year-old center back announced his decision Thursday in an emotional Instagram post, days after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The defeat denied the defending champions a second straight world title, but it also marked the final international appearance of one of the country's most respected veterans.
"Today I have to write the most difficult words of my career," Otamendi wrote. "As fate would have it, my last match was a World Cup final. It wasn't the result we wanted, but I'm leaving with my head held high, knowing that this team gave it their all right up to the very last second.
"Thank you, Argentina, for allowing me to fulfill the dream of becoming a world champion."
Otamendi leaves the national team with 139 appearances and eight goals after making his senior debut in 2009. His longevity, physical presence and leadership made him a fixture in Argentina's defense under several coaches, particularly Lionel Scaloni, whose squad transformed years of near misses into sustained international success.
