Nicolas Otamendi has walked away from international football after losing the World Cup final with Argentina.
Otamendi, the former Manchester City star and 2022 World Cup winner, says he retires from Argentina with his ‘head held high’ and with ‘peace of mind’.
That’s despite the 38-year-old’s final act on the global stage being an angry row with Rodri, in which he branded the Spain captain an ‘idiot’ and accused the victors of whining too much.
The centre-back came on as a substitute on Sunday and was highly involved in Argentina’s rearguard action. Spain’s first goal by Nico Williams was ruled out because of the controversial call that Mikel Merino had fouled Otamendi.
He steps away after 139 caps – the fifth-most ever for Argentina – and eight goals. Having made his debut for them in 2009, he also went on to lift two Copa Americas.
Meanwhile, his team-mate Leandro Paredes – who attacked Eric Garcia and Gavi after full-time – says he could step away too.
Otamendi wrote on Instagram: ‘Today I have to write the most difficult words of my entire career.
