Nicolas Otamendi announces international retirement

Nicolas Otamendi retires from international football (Pics: X) Mid-Day Sports By Atharva Upasani Published Jul 24, 2026 [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

The 38-year-old centre-back made 139 appearances for Argentina and was part of the squad that reached this year`s FIFA World Cup final in the United States [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

The defending champions fell 1-0 to Spain in the title match, marking Otamendi`s final appearance for the national team [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Argentina`s bid to retain the World Cup title ended in heartbreak after a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the final [{ "selector": ".imaoe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-309px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

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