Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi has officially retired from international football after bringing the curtain down on an outstanding 17-year career with the national team. His final appearance came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina fell to Spain after extra time. The veteran center-back leaves the international stage as one of the country's most experienced players, having earned 139 caps and scored eight goals while representing Argentina across four World Cups.

Throughout his international journey, Otamendi played a vital role in one of the most successful eras in Argentina's football history. He helped the Albiceleste capture the 2022 FIFA World Cup and lifted the Copa América twice, establishing himself as a key figure in the team's defensive line. After successful spells with Porto, Valencia, Manchester City, and Benfica, he recently returned to South America by joining River Plate, marking a new chapter in his club career.

In his farewell message, Otamendi reflected on fulfilling his lifelong dream of representing Argentina and expressed pride in everything the team achieved during his time with the national side. Although his final match ended in disappointment, he emphasized that wearing the national shirt remained the greatest honor of his career. He also shared his confidence that the next generation has the quality and determination to continue Argentina's tradition of competing for major international trophies.

Meanwhile, midfielder Leandro Paredes admitted he is still undecided about his own international future following the World Cup. The experienced midfielder acknowledged that maintaining Argentina's recent success will be a significant challenge and said he intends to carefully consider his next steps. Despite the defeat in the final, Paredes praised Spain's performance and recognized that Argentina can still look back with pride on an extraordinary period that delivered multiple major titles and lasting memories.