Messi and Otamendi Bid Farewell to Argentina After World Cup

WHO:

bolavip.com - Leandro Paredes stated, “Many of us will have to think about whether to continue with the national team or not. It’s going to be very difficult to maintain this level and keep the group functioning the way it has."

Yahoo Sports - Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international soccer after losing the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain.

Yahoo Sports - Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international soccer.

bolavip.com - Lionel Messi, Nicolás Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, ‘Dibu’ Martinez, and other members of the Argentina national team.

Yahoo Sports - Nicolás Otamendi, Lionel Messi.

World Soccer Talk - Nicolás Otamendi, Lionel Messi.

ESPN - Nicolás Otamendi.

Buenos Aires Times - Nicolás Otamendi.

The New York Times - Lionel Messi.

The Daily Star - Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Rodri, Lamine Yamal.

beIN SPORTS - Lionel Messi.

Goal.com - Lionel Messi.

WHAT:

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi confirmed that the World Cup final against Spain was his last appearance for the national team.

ESPN - Otamendi played his 139th international match in the defeat to Spain.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi expressed pride in his performance despite the loss, stating he left "with my head held high."

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi's farewell confirmed he finishes with 139 appearances for Argentina, placing him fifth on the nation’s all-time appearance list.

Goal.com - Messi was awarded the Silver Ball for his performance at the 2026 World Cup, while Rodri received the Golden Ball.

The Daily Star - The 2026 Ballon d'Or is set to be announced on October 26 in London.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi stated, “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.”

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi's farewell confirmed he finishes with 139 appearances for Argentina, placing him fifth on the nation’s all-time appearance list.

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi played his 139th international match in the defeat to Spain.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi expressed pride in his performance despite the loss, stating he left "with my head held high."

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi confirmed he finishes with 139 appearances for Argentina, placing him fifth on the nation’s all-time appearance list.

ESPN - Otamendi scored eight goals and contributed three assists during his international career.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi urged the next generation of players to "never stop believing," adding, "Don't let one defeat take away your hope."

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi announced his retirement four days after the 2026 World Cup final.

The Daily Star - The 2026 Ballon d'Or is set to be announced on October 26 in London.

bolavip.com - Leandro Paredes stated, “I believe Messi had made the decision that the World Cup final would be his last match for the national team. I hope not. I hope he can keep playing. Whatever makes him happy will make us happy too.”

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi's international career spanned 17 years, during which he played in four FIFA World Cups.

ESPN - Otamendi's farewell statement included, “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.”

Goal.com - Messi was awarded the Silver Ball for his performance at the 2026 World Cup, while Rodri received the Golden Ball.

World Soccer Talk - The 2026 FIFA World Cup featured 48 national teams and 104 matches, making it the largest edition in FIFA history.

World Soccer Talk - A total of 308 goals were scored during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, establishing it as the highest-scoring edition in the history of the competition.

World Soccer Talk - The average of 2.96 goals per match in the 2026 World Cup was higher than every World Cup since Mexico 1970.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi expressed in his farewell statement, “I dreamed of a very young boy wearing the shirt of the Argentine national team was the greatest privilege that football gave me."

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi confirmed he finishes with 139 appearances for Argentina, placing him fifth on the nation’s all-time appearance list.

ESPN - Otamendi scored eight goals and contributed three assists during his international career.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi urged the next generation of players to "never stop believing," adding, "Don't let one defeat take away your hope."

bolavip.com - Leandro Paredes stated that Messi had decided the 2026 World Cup final would be his last match for the national team.

Yahoo Sports - Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international soccer after losing the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain.

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi confirmed that the World Cup final against Spain was his last appearance for the national team.

ESPN - Otamendi played his 139th international match in the defeat to Spain.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi described representing Argentina as "the greatest privilege football has given me."

The New York Times - Messi walked away from the 2026 World Cup empty-handed after Argentina lost the final.

The Daily Star - Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina 1-0.

Goal.com - Messi scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists during the 2026 World Cup.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi announced his retirement in a video and an open letter posted on social media.

Yahoo Sports - The 2026 FIFA World Cup final took place at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi announced his retirement in a video and an open letter posted on social media.

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi announced his retirement four days after the 2026 World Cup final.

The Daily Star - The 2026 Ballon d'Or is set to be announced on October 26 in London.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi expressed in his farewell statement, “I dreamed of a very young boy wearing the shirt of the Argentine national team was the greatest privilege that football gave me."

bolavip.com - Paredes mentioned that many players, including Messi, are contemplating their future with the national team after the World Cup loss.

World Soccer Talk - Otamendi urged the next generation of players to "never stop believing," adding, "Don't let one defeat take away your hope."

bolavip.com - Paredes mentioned that many players, including Messi, are contemplating their future with the national team after the World Cup loss.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi expressed pride in his performance despite the loss, stating he left "with my head held high."

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi announced his retirement through a heartfelt statement on Instagram.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi confirmed his retirement decision in a video and an open letter posted on social media.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi announced his retirement through a heartfelt statement on Instagram.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi confirmed his retirement decision in a video and an open letter posted on social media.

Yahoo Sports - Otamendi announced his retirement through a heartfelt statement on Instagram.

Buenos Aires Times - Otamendi confirmed his decision in a video and an open letter posted on social media.

Nicolás Otamendi has announced his retirement from international soccer following Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, marking his last appearance for the national team after 139 matches. In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, Otamendi expressed pride in his performance and reflected on the privilege of representing Argentina, saying, “I dreamed of a very young boy wearing the shirt of the Argentine national team was the greatest privilege that football gave me." Meanwhile, teammate Leandro Paredes has indicated that many players will need to consider their futures with the national team, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining their current level of performance.