Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football, expressing a heartfelt appreciation for his Argentina captain Lionel Messi as both men end their time with the national team after a 3-0 friendly match against Benin Republic in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 6.
Otamendi, 38, and Messi, 39, were integral members of the Albiceleste squad that secured the 2021 and 2024 Copa America championships, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the defender playing in every minute of every match at Qatar 2022.
The River Plate player scored the opening goal against Benin in the second half, with an assist from Lionel Messi, who subsequently provided an assist for Nico Paz’s goal in the 61st minute before converting a penalty kick 19 minutes from the final whistle.
“Today, we bring this chapter to an end together as players of this great Argentina National Team,” Otamendi stated on Instagram, as quoted by Albiceleste Talk.
“It is challenging to articulate the significance of this moment. Representing this nation was, is, and will perpetually be among the greatest sources of honor in my existence. Every training session, every competition, every journey, every embrace, and every instance I heard the national anthem shall remain indelibly etched in my consciousness.
“And should this day have already been remarkable, sharing it with Leo Messi renders it profoundly memorable. The preeminent player in the history of the sport, the individual who instructed us to maintain unwavering belief, to recover following every adversity, and to uphold this shirt with our devotion. What an extraordinary honor it has been to participate in this trajectory and to observe a legacy that shall endure perpetually in football and in the consciousness of all Argentines.
“Today we conclude a chapter, yet all we accomplished shall persist indefinitely. I depart with honor, appreciation, and the assurance of having committed myself entirely whenever I possessed the distinction of serving my nation. I express my gratitude, Argentina, for all you have provided. Thank you for instilling in me this sense of honor in wearing the light blue and white. A shirt for eternity.”
Otamendi and Messi participated in 107 matches together, with both athletes present simultaneously on the field, achieving three combined goal contributions.