According to Argentine media outlet Olé, Otamendi hopes to wear the River Plate jersey as soon as possible after the 2026 World Cup, and may even forgo his post-World Cup vacation to join the team's training directly, making his debut in this weekend's match against Barracas Central.
The report states that while rest and adjustment are usually the more sensible options after losing the World Cup final to Spain, Otamendi is eager to play for River Plate, a team he has supported for many years. If head coach Kudé deems conditions permissible, the 39-year-old center-back may return to the field earlier than expected.
Otamendi has signed a contract with River Plate until the end of 2027. He is expected to join the team's training immediately upon arriving in Argentina and be included in the squad for Saturday's first round of the spring league against Barracas Central.
For River Plate, who were just eliminated 1-3 by Aldosivi in the Argentine Cup, the arrival of Otamendi is undoubtedly a major boost. This experienced defender not only wants to wear the River Plate jersey as soon as possible, but also, given his excellent form, is capable of quickly integrating into the team.
During the 2026 World Cup, Otamendi remained an important player under Scaloni. He played in 7 out of 8 matches for Argentina, totaling 243 minutes of playing time, serving as a substitute center-back and also helping the team form a five-defender system when needed.
In fact, Otamendi maintained an extremely high level of intensity when he arrived at the World Cup. During his time at Benfica last season, he played 49 games for the team, accumulating 4,314 minutes of playing time, making him one of the Argentine players with the most playing time in the World Cup season.
Although Argentina ultimately lost 0-1 to Spain in extra time in the World Cup final, Otamendi still demonstrated a wealth of experience in major tournaments. Now, he hopes to bring that experience to River Plate and start a new chapter in his career as soon as possible.
