Argentina: Nicolas Otamendi joins Lionel Messi in retirement

Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his status from planetary football, expressing a heartfelt appreciation for his Argentina skipper Lionel Messi arsenic some men extremity their clip with the nationalist squad aft a 3-0 affable lucifer against Benin Republic successful Buenos Aires connected Tuesday, October 6.

Otamendi, 38, and Messi, 39, were integral members of the Albiceleste squad that secured the 2021 and 2024 Copa America championships, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the defender playing successful each infinitesimal of each lucifer astatine Qatar 2022.

The River Plate subordinate scored the opening extremity against Benin successful the 2nd half, with an assistance from Lionel Messi, who subsequently provided an assistance for Nico Paz’s extremity successful the 61st infinitesimal earlier converting a punishment footwear 19 minutes from the...