Nicolás Otamendi, between the memory of the World Cup in Qatar and a future that takes him away from the River

Five months after getting the world Cup, Nicola Otamendione of the historical figures of the Argentine team recalled the World Cup in Qatar, in which the team of Lionel Scaloni touched the sky with his hands and gave the third star to the Selection.

“We managed to crown and it was something historic. After the first game (the defeat against Saudi Arabia) some people let go but that’s part of football. We overturned that initial adverse situation, we played an excellent World Cup and we were good champions”, declared the defender in an interview with the digital radio of the Argentine Catholic University (UCA), as part of the “Entretiempo” programme.

Otamendi also revealed that he feels like many Argentines: “It was for Messi. Everyone, whoever you ask, the majority would have said that we are winning the Cup because Leo deserved it.”

The 35-year-old central scorer, a great performer in Qatar, is happy not only with the finish line, but also with what the Argentines are experiencing. And he highlighted the effort that many have made to accompany them. “If we know people are having fun, we will have more fun. We see through social networks the effort that people have made to be able to be and travel. They traveled there and didn’t have tickets. We feel their support, we are aware of that,” she said.

Otamendi, in a passage from the conversation with journalism students on the Radiofónicos program, He confessed what he felt a few hours before the final against France. “When I went to sleep the night before, it just occurred to me that I was going to play in a World Cup final, but match day is when you get the most adrenaline going.”

The ex Vélez also declared what was the main key to winning the world championship. “The basis for winning a title, both in the national team and in the club, is having a good relationship with your teammates or with the group; that everyone shoots in the same direction,” he assured.

Precisely, the defender is on the verge of a new consecration, this time with his team, Benfica, in the Portuguese league. This Sunday they drew 2-2 against Sporting Lisbon and the weekend could be crowned. “We are facing the possibility of being able to consecrate ourselves champions and we will try to bring joy to ourselves and to the people of Benfica,” he expressed.

In turn, he gave no hints about his future, since his head is still completely in the present. “At the moment I’m focused on what Benfica is and since I arrived at the club I hope I can win the promised title with them because the previous seasons haven’t been entirely good and then we’ll see what happens,” he assured.

And he preferred not to talk about River’s interest in having him since July, even though, As Clarín was able to learn, the chances that the comeback will materialize in the next set of transfers are very slim given that the Argentine defender would prefer to continue in Europe for a matter of life, beyond football. In turn, he has received the recommendation of his representatives to continue at least another year in the Old Continent, given that in addition to the Benfica renewal proposal, there are also other offers around.

Otamendi is happy in Portugal. We feel loved. And he also received a lot of affection from the Portuguese for his consecration at the World Cup. Lui also commented: “Once Portugal were barred from the World Cup, most wanted Argentina to win.”

Finally, he was consulted on his first experience at the World Cup, in South Africa 2010, where he stood out playing as a winger in the 0-4 defeat by Germany in the quarter-finals. “When I was called up for my first World Cup, I went to centre-back. I’ve never played outdoors. I think I played two or three games in reserve. But when I made my first division debut at Vélez, I played as a central defender and I have done so throughout my career.”

And, in this regard, he added: “If they tell you to play in the middle, you will play; For my part, I’ve always tried to do it in the best possible way, but obviously it wasn’t my job.”