Missing for Benfica, Nicolás Otamendi confirms major decision | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be the athlete's last official participation with the Argentine national team jersey. On his way to the Albiceleste training camp, the Benfica captain announced that he would be leaving Lionel Scaloni's team and also spoke about the future of Lionel Messi.

"Yes, obviously yes. As I said, after the World Cup, my cycle with the national team ends, it's a fact", Otamendi began by saying to the local press, confirming the rumors that had already been pointed out in the past year regarding his presence in the competition.

"I am very happy and enjoying this moment", he added, stating that now is the time to savor the last games with the World champions. "A cycle with the national team is ending, it's my last World Cup. I will be just another fan", assured Otamendi, Benfica's captain.

"No, that's not talked about, it's just lived. When we get together, we live the moment, enjoy the opportunity to be together once again and nothing more", assured the number 20 of the Eagles - who missed the match against Vitória de Guimarães - when speaking about Messi's continuity in the Argentine national team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.