Otamendi calls World Cup player an animal, ex-Benfica set for debut | OneFootball

On the eve of Argentina’s debut at the 2026 World Cup, against Algeria, Nicolás Otamendi had high praise for Lionel Messi and highlighted the Argentine captain’s competitive spirit. The former Benfica centre-back, now at River Plate, spoke emotionally about the star’s presence in the national team.

Speaking about Messi, he did not hold back and stressed the captain’s daily impact on the group: "We love seeing the little guy every day. He’s a simple person, he prepares himself, but he’s an animal and he loves to compete. That stops you from relaxing. When the ball is rolling, that’s when you have to give it everything. Messi lifts all of us. Who doesn’t love Leo? We have to support him and help him".

The defender also reinforced the unique stature of the Argentine star, leaving a line that stood out in his remarks: "Who doesn’t love Messi?". The captain’s presence is a decisive factor in the team’s internal standards and in the way Argentina maintain their competitive level.

As for the context of the world champion national team, the player warned about the difficulties of the tournament and the responsibility involved: "We’ve arrived in good shape, we’re giving our all, because we know we are the champions and everyone will want to beat us, so we have to give our maximum," he said.

"We have to play our game, they have good players. And I believe defensive organisation is fundamental. I enjoy these moments, because this will be my last World Cup".

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