On July 23rd, after the World Cup 2026 campaign, Otamendi announced his retirement from the national team on social media.
Otamendi complete post on social media:
Today, I am writing the most difficult farewell of my career.
Ever since I was very young, I dreamed of wearing the Argentina national team shirt. Being able to fulfill that dream is the greatest honor football has given me. I defended it with my soul, with pride, and with respect for what this shirt means to millions of Argentines.
Fate made my final match a World Cup final. The result was not what we wanted, but I can leave with my head held high because this team fought until the very last second.
I can say goodbye with peace of mind because I gave everything. I never held back an ounce of effort, never stopped believing, and never stopped seeing this shirt as the greatest honor of my life.
Thank you to all the Argentina fans. Thank you for your unwavering love, for every flag, every song, for standing with us in the good times, and even more for standing with us in the hardest moments. Because of you, every time the national anthem plays, we feel that it is not just 11 players standing on the pitch, but millions of Argentines fighting for the same dream.
Thank you to my family. Every time I fell, you were my refuge; every time I faced a challenge, you were my strength. You endured the distance, the absences, the tears, and the disappointments with me. I was never walking this road alone; every step was one we took together.
And to those who still wear this shirt today, I want to tell you from the heart: never stop believing. In life, there will always be setbacks that seem impossible to overcome, but this shirt will always reward those who defend it with humility, sacrifice, and love. Keep your heads up, keep fighting, and do not let one defeat take away your dreams. I firmly believe the next chapter of our story will belong to you.
Today, I say goodbye to the Argentina national team, but I remain immensely proud to have represented my country. Because titles are written into history, but the love for this shirt lasts a lifetime.
Thank you, Argentina. Thank you for allowing me to fulfill the dream of becoming a world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world.
Farewell, Argentina national team. 🇦🇷
Otamendi made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2009. He represented the team at four World Cups and five Copa Américas, winning the World Cup in 2022 and the Copa América twice, in 2021 and 2024.
Over his 17-year career in the blue and white, Otamendi made 139 appearances for Argentina and scored 8 goals.