Otamendi set for a big surprise away from Benfica, much-loved centre-back | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi, captain of Benfica, will wear the Argentina armband in his last World Cup qualifying match

Nicolás Otamendi will play his last career match for the Argentine national team in World Cup qualifying stages. The next year's edition will be the last one contested by the center-back of Benfica, who will have the privilege of wearing the armband against Ecuador, confirmed Lionel Scaloni - who also had high praise for the defender.

"Otamendi is a reference of this national team and is a very important player for us. Tomorrow he will be the team captain", admitted the Albiceleste coach, ensuring that Lionel Messi, the usual owner of the armband, will not be on the field.

As for the World Cup, Scaloni was direct: "I don't have a definitive list of players for the World Cup. We are still far away and many things can happen. When they tell us how many players can go, we will make the decisions. I haven't spoken to Leo (Messi) about the next World Cup. I know he will take everything calmly and that any decision he makes will be the right one".

Argentina faces Ecuador, in Guayaquil, at 00h00 on Wednesday, September 10th. The match marks the end of Otamendi's journey in the qualifiers, at a time when the center-back will, at the end of international commitments, return to Benfica.

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