• 2024-02

Nicolás Otamendi

Nicolás Otamendi

Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi (born 12 February 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Portuguese club Benfica and the Argentina national team.

Otamendi began his career at Vélez Sarsfield, where he won the Argentine Primera División in 2009. He then moved to Porto, where he won the Primeira Liga three times and the UEFA Europa League in 2011. In 2015, he joined Manchester City, where he won the Premier League twice and the EFL Cup three times. In 2020, he joined Benfica, where he won the Primeira Liga in 2021–22.

Otamendi has made over 90 appearances for the Argentina national team, and was a member of the team that won the Copa América in 2021. He has also represented Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Club career

Vélez Sarsfield

Otamendi was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his career at Vélez Sarsfield, where he made his professional debut in 2007. He quickly became a regular starter for the club, and helped them win the Argentine Primera División in 2009.

Porto

In 2010, Otamendi moved to Porto for a fee of €4 million. He quickly became a key player for the club, and helped them win the Primeira Liga three times and the UEFA Europa League in 2011.

Manchester City

In 2015, Otamendi joined Manchester City for a fee of £32 million. He made his debut for the club on 12 September 2015, in a 1–0 win over Sunderland. He quickly became a regular starter for the club, and helped them win the Premier League in 2017–18 and 2018–19. He also won the EFL Cup three times with the club, in 2016, 2018, and 2019.

Benfica

In 2020, Otamendi joined Benfica for a fee of €15 million. He made his debut for the club on 20 September 2020, in a 2–0 win over Paços de Ferreira. He quickly became a regular starter for the club, and helped them win the Primeira Liga in 2021–22.

International career

Otamendi made his debut for the Argentina national team in 2009. He has since made over 90 appearances for the team, and was a member of the team that won the Copa América in 2021. He has also represented Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Playing style

Otamendi is a strong and aggressive defender who is good in the air and has a good passing range. He is also a good tackler and is able to read the game well.