Benfica to receive payment from Nicolás Otamendi’s 2026 World Cup involvement | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi has been unveiled by River Plate, yet Benfica are still due a final payment. The centre-back remains under contract until the end of June, which allows the club to benefit from his involvement at the 2026 World Cup.

According to Glorioso 1904, Benfica will be the only club to receive compensation for Otamendi’s presence at the FIFA-organised competition, as he remains contractually tied to the Lisbon side throughout June despite signing with the Buenos Aires club.

The mechanism falls under FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, created to compensate clubs that release players for their national teams. Payments cover not only official matchdays but also the full preparation period.

Benfica could collect around c230,000, limited to the days Otamendi remains under contract until the end of June, regardless of Argentinas progress at the tournament.

Signed from Manchester City in 2020, Otamendi completes a notable six-season spell. He made 281 appearances, scored 18 goals and provided eight assists, helping Benfica win one league title, one League Cup and two Super Cups.

Source: Glorioso 1904