Scaloni backs Benfica star for future call-up: deserves to play | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi recently confirmed that he will retire from the Argentina national team at the end of the 2026 World Cup, so the match against Zambia at La Bombonera, in the early hours of this Wednesday, could be his last game for his country.

Consequently, Lionel Scaloni assured that the Benfica captain - who ensures the continuation of talent - will play, despite having missed the first friendly against Mauritania (2-1) due to some discomfort, having previously also been unavailable for José Mourinho against Arouca (2-1) and V. Guimarães (3-0).

"Otamendi didn’t play the other day because of some discomfort, but tomorrow he will be there. He deserves to play his last game in Argentina", said Scaloni, without confirming that he will start, but indicating that, at the very least, he will come on from the bench.

The Benfica number 30, it should be remembered, has been out for three weeks, with the league clássico against Porto at the Luz (2-2) being his last competitive appearance, but Argentina’s coach has now revealed that the centre-back has fully recovered, especially as it is known that he has already taken part in a joint training session with Argentina’s under-20 team.

This season, for Benfica, Nicolás Otamendi - valued at €1 million - has already made a total of 43 official appearances: 24 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, 14 in the Champions League, two in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup and one in the Super Cup. In the 3,809 minutes he has been on the pitch, the Argentine has scored three goals.

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