The World Cup final defeat to Spain proved to be the final act of one of Argentina's players, who has now announced their international retirement.
As fate would have it, my last match was a World Cup final.
He has won the World Cup and two Copa America titles but played a bit-part role in this summer's tournament.
This was his fourth World Cup campaign but while he's now finished representing La Albiceleste his club career continues.
He thanked the fans and said he was proud to have once again united as a country and made it to two World Cup finals in a row.
The World Cup final defeat to Spain proved to be the final act of one of Argentina's players, who has now announced their international retirement.
La Albiceleste surrendered their world title crown after suffering a loss in extra time during a controversial final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19th. Ferran Torres scored a 106th-minute winner to break Argentine hearts.
Lionel Messi was in tears after the game, with speculation growing over the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's future with his national team. His manager, Lionel Scaloni, has also hinted that he may leave his role, and one of the old guard has already confirmed their time is up.
Argentina Hero Announces Retirement
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Argentina were deservedly beaten in a feisty affair which saw Enzo Fernandez sent off for two reckless bookable offenses. They were looking to win the tournament for a second consecutive time after becoming world champions in Qatar in 2022.
Nicolas Otamendi came on in the first half after Lisandro Martinez sustained a thigh injury and this was his final appearance. The former Manchester City centre-back released an emotional statement on his Instagram account:
"Today I have to write the most difficult words of my career. As fate would have it, my last match was a World Cup final. It wasn't the result we wanted, but I'm leaving with my head held high, knowing that this team gave it their all right up to the very last second."
He added: "Thank you, Argentina, for allowing me to fulfil the dream of becoming a world champion."
Otamendi, 38, earned his 139th international cap in the defeat to Spain, having been handed his debut by Diego Maradona back in May 2009. He has won the World Cup and two Copa America titles but played a bit-part role in this summer's tournament.
This was his fourth World Cup campaign but while he's now finished representing La Albiceleste his club career continues. He recently joined Argentine club River Plate after spending 16 years in Europe which included a five-year spell at City.
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Is Lionel Messi Also Retiring?
REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
The question on everybody's lips is whether Messi will also call time on his international career after missing out on back-to-back World Cup glory. He once again starred for Argentina, registering eight goals and four assists.
At 39, it was almost certainly the Inter Miami forward's final World Cup campaign, and his emotional reaction after the defeat suggested he might have played his last game for his country. beIN SPORTS relay reports in Argentina claim that the Barcelona icon isn't quite finished just yet.
The plan is reportedly for Messi to continue playing for the next few months before retiring from international football. A special match is believed to be on the cards to allow fans to bid farewell to their hero and give him a proper send-off at an event in his homeland.
Scaloni downplayed suggestions of a rift with Messi after his captain's half-time speech was put to him. The player told his teammates to 'calm down' and 'forget everything ', which some are asserting was an assessment of the manager's pragmatic game plan.
Messi posted a statement on Instagram after the defeat to Spain about the "immense pain" of losing the final. He thanked the fans and said he was proud to have once again united as a country and made it to two World Cup finals in a row.
