BUENOS AIRES : Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, ending a 17-year career in which he won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
The 38-year-old centre back made 139 appearances for Argentina and played his final international match in this year’s World Cup final in the United States, where the defending champions were beaten 1-0 by Spain.
“Today I have to write the most difficult words of my career,” Otamendi wrote on Instagram.
“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 fulfil the dream of becoming a world champion.”
Otamendi recently returned to his homeland to join River Plate after ending a 16-year career in Europe, where he represented Porto, Valencia, Manchester City and Benfica.
He appeared in four FIFA World Cups for Argentina, helping the nation lift the trophy in Qatar in 2022 before ending his international career after their runners-up finish this year.
