🚨 BREAKING: Nicolas Otamendi announces his RETIREMENT from the Argentina National Team 💙🇦🇷
🗣️ "Today I have to write the hardest words of my entire career.
"Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina national team shirt. It was the greatest privilege football ever gave me. I defended it with all my soul, with pride, and with the responsibility of knowing what it means to millions of Argentinians.
"Fate decided that my last match would be a World Cup final. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high, knowing this group fought until the very last second.
"I say goodbye with the peace of mind that I gave absolutely everything. I never held anything back, I never stopped believing, and I never stopped feeling that wearing this shirt was the greatest honor of my life.
"Thank you to the Argentine fans. Thank you for your unconditional love, for every flag, every song, and for standing by us through the good times and, above all, the hardest ones. You made us feel that every time the national anthem played, we weren’t just eleven players, we were millions of people defending the same dream.
"Thank you to my family. You were my refuge after every setback and my strength through every challenge. You endured the distance, the time apart, the tears, and the frustrations. I never walked this path alone; every step we took together.
"And to those who continue wearing this shirt today, I want to tell you something from the bottom of my heart, never stop believing. There will be moments that seem impossible to overcome, but this shirt always rewards those who defend it with humility, sacrifice, and love. Keep your heads up, keep fighting, and never let one defeat take away your hope. I’m convinced that the next chapter of our history will belong to you.
"Today I say goodbye to the Argentina national team, but with immense pride for having represented my country. Titles remain in history, but the love for these colors lasts forever.
"Thank you, Argentina. Thank you for allowing me to fulfill my dream of becoming a world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world."
LEGEND.
If someone had told me that four years later, a 39-year-old Messi would have an even better World Cup than he did at 35, I would not have believed it in any world.
What an absolute freak. What an unbelievable player. It’s just unimaginable in every possible way.
You Argentina fans are so lucky. നിങ്ങടെ ടൈം എന്ന് കേൾക്കുമ്പോൾ തന്നെ ചെപ്പ അടിച്ചു പൊളിക്കാൻ തോന്നും. We made this moment decades suffering കേട്ടോടാ പട്ടികളെ
Fifa should be thankful to Argentina we are one who made this world cup a box office success with all the drama last minute comebcks, and endless talking points. Didn't win a single game normally after the first game. without us this tournament would've been a bit boring.🤤
Argentina is doing this with no 1v1 wingers.
Argentina is doing this with two CBs who recently got back from injuries.
Argentina is doing this with two fullbacks who aren't regular starters for their team.
Argentina is doing this with a 39 year old captain.
Talk is cheap.
🚨🎙️ Lionel Messi:
“This is a crazy World Cup, and reaching another final is an unbelievable achievement. To the Argentine people, I say the same thing I said in Qatar: enjoy it, because this team will never abandon you.” 🩵🇦🇷🏆🐐