Nicolás Otamendi arrived in the country to join the Argentine National Team and, as soon as he landed in Ezeiza, he left definitions about his future that did not go unnoticed. The defender was consulted because of rumors that link him to River and because of the possibility of being led by Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet, but he chose out of caution.
“I don't want to add an extra word. I met Chacho once and the truth is that I have a contract with Benfica and it ends in June,” he said in a dialogue with the press.
However, at the insistence on a possible landing in Argentine football, he left a door ajar with a brief answer: “We'll see”.Otamendi does not rule out reaching River
Beyond his future at the club level, Otamendi also referred to his career with the National Team and anticipated that the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his time in the national team. “After the World Cup, my cycle with the Argentine National Team ends. I already know it's my last World Cup so when I don't play anymore I'll start to be just another fan,” he said
.
With his continuity at Benfica guaranteed until the middle of the year, his statements leave open the question of a possible return to Argentine footballafter 16 years abroad after the end of his contract in Portugal. Meanwhile, the immediate focus will be on his commitments to Albiceleste and what could be the final stretch of
his international career.
Otamendi's numbers in Argentine football The
defender Albiceleste made his professional debut in 2009 in Vélez, a club where he played until mid-2010 before going to Porto. During his time at Fortín, he played 4733 minutes, spread over 54 games, in which he scored 1 goal, gave 2 assists and received 16 yellow ones. In addition, he won a title: the 2009 Apertura Tournament.
