Otamendi shines! Argentina stalwart: “He competes like he’s 30” | OneFootball

Lionel Scaloni did not hide his admiration for Nicolás Otamendi. In a recent interview, the national team coach praised the longevity of the Argentine centre-back, admitting that the Benfica star plays “as if he were 30 years old”. The captain has been keeping fit in Seixal before heading to the World Cup.

“You only need to make changes when the players on the pitch are not performing at their best. We make substitutions or renew the squad when those coming through are in great form and those who are playing are not performing as well,” began the Argentina national team coach in an interview with DSports.

“It is an approach we have always taken, and we have never seen that drop in motivation from them; they have always wanted more. That is why I see no reason to replace them,” added Lionel Scaloni, explaining why he continues to rely on several players, such as Otamendi, who are already at a more advanced age.

“We have always been honest with them, and the players who are here today have not shown us that they do not want to be here, nor have they dropped their level, and that is how we have acted with those who are here. Besides that, some of them are at the age limit and, in Otamendi’s case, he competes as if he were 30 years old. Things are this way because those who are here deserve it,” he concluded.

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