Otamendi back with Argentina, drops line to excite River fans | OneFootball

The Benfica defender spoke after arriving in Argentina for the FIFA international window and responded about the possibility of playing for Coudet’s team.

Defender Nicolás Otamendi arrived this Monday at Ezeiza International Airport to join the Argentina National Team ahead of the FIFA date friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia. Youngster Gianluca Prestianni also arrived with him, following their commitments with Benfica in the Primeira Liga.

Asked about the possibility of playing for River, Otamendi was cautious and left the door open without giving a definite answer.

“I met Chacho, I saw him once and nothing more... I have a contract with Benfica and it ends in June, I have nothing else to say,” he said.

However, when specifically asked whether he could join the Núñez club, he responded with a brief but suggestive: “We’ll see”.

The end of his cycle with the National Team

The World Cup winner also confirmed that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will mark the end of his time with the Albiceleste.

“After the World Cup, my cycle with the Argentina National Team comes to an end. I already know it’s my last World Cup, so when I’m no longer playing I’ll become just another fan,” he stated.

A possible return to Argentine football

If his move to River goes through, Otamendi would return to Argentine football after 16 years, since his last club in the country was Vélez Sarsfield, where he made his debut in 2009 and played 54 matches.

In 2010 he made the jump to Europe to play for Porto, where he played 125 matches, scored 10 goals, and provided 6 assists. He later had spells with:

He will miss the debut at the 2026 World Cup

On the other hand, Otamendi will not be able to play Argentina’s first match at the 2026 World Cup, which will be on June 16 in Kansas City against Algeria, due to a suspension.

The defender was sent off in the match against Ecuador in the South American World Cup Qualifiers, so he will have to serve a one-match suspension in the World Cup opener.

Meanwhile, the experienced center-back is already focused on the upcoming friendly matches with the National Team, in what will be the start of his final stretch wearing the Argentina shirt.

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