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Argentina star announces retirement after World Cup final defeat
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Just days after losing the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain at the New York/New Jersey Stadium , Argentina's veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi has announced his retirement from international soccer.
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The 2022 FIFA World Cup champions lost 0-1 to Spain in the final after a humiliating display of soccer from their attack and midfield. While fans expected Spain to score goals after their dominance, it was Argentina's Emi Martinez who stopped it from happening.
While captain Lionel Messi was in tears after the game, speculation started growing over the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's future with his national team. However, as fans wondered about Messi's retirement, veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi hung up his boots.
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In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Otamendi bid his farewell . "Today I get to write the hardest words of my entire career. I dreamed of a very young boy wearing the shirt of the Argentine national team was the greatest privilege that football gave me. I defended it with my soul, with pride and with the responsibility to know what it means to millions of Argentinians.
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"Fate wanted my last match to be a World Final. Not the result we wanted, but I'm leaving my head high that this group tried until the last second. I bid farewell with the peace of mind that I have left everything behind. I never saved a drop of effort, I never stopped believing and I never stopped feeling this T-shirt as the greatest honor of my life. Thanks to the Argentinian fan. Thank you for the unconditional love, for every flag, for every song, for accompanying us in the good times and most of all, in the hardest. You made every time the anthem played we felt that we were not eleven players, but millions defending the same dream," Otamendi wrote.
The former Manchester City player then also paid gratitude to his family as well as paid respect to the Argentina soccer jersey. "Today I bid farewell to the Argentine national team, but with immense pride for having represented my country. Because titles remain in history, but love for these colors lasts a lifetime. Thank you, Argentina. Thank you for letting me fulfill the dream of becoming a world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world. Goodbye, National Team," Otamendi finished. (Quotes translated from Spanish)
Otamendi, 38, played his 139th international match in the defeat to Spain. He made his international debut in 2009 under the management of Diego Maradona. He has won the World Cup and two Copa America titles.
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