Nicolás Otámendi poised to debut with River Plate after World Cup
After Argentina finished runner‑up at the 2026 World Cup, central defender Nicolás Otámendi is preparing to fulfill his dream of playing for River Plate. He signed a contract through the end of 2027 after moving from Benfica.
Otámendi told coach Eduardo Coudet that he is willing to forgo his vacation and be available for River’s first match of the Torneo Clausura against Barracas Central, which could see him on the field as early as Saturday.
The addition comes as River Plate seeks to stabilise a defence that has struggled, highlighted by a 3‑1 loss to Aldosivi that eliminated the club from the Copa Argentina. Otámendi, 38, featured in seven of Argentina’s eight World Cup games, logging significant minutes.