Nicolás Otamendi
Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi made his Primera División debut for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield on the 10th of May 2008. The match ended in a 2, 1 home win against Rosario Central during the Clausura tournament. He was only fifth-choice stopper behind Waldo Ponce, Fernando Tobio, Marco Torsiglieri and Mariano Uglessich under manager Hugo Tocalli. His role changed dramatically during Ricardo Gareca's first season as head coach in the 2009 Clausura campaign. Otamendi replaced Ponce for the third game after the Chilean was injured while playing for his national team. He eventually won a starting position alongside Sebastián Domínguez. The pair played 17 of the 19 games in Vélez's winning campaign that year. He scored his first professional goal during the 2009 Apertura in a 3, 1 victory over Arsenal de Sarandí. That same season he appeared in an international club competition called the Copa Sudamericana. Recognition came quickly when journalists from the newspaper El País chose him for the South American Team of the Year.
On the 23rd of August 2010 Otamendi transferred to Portuguese side FC Porto for €4 million. A five-year contract followed with Vélez retaining 50% of his registration rights. Porto had to pay another €4 million before September 2011 to acquire the remainder of his rights. He netted in his first match during a 2, 0 home victory over S.C. Olhanense. His first season concluded with 15 appearances and five goals including two in a 2, 0 away win against S.C. Braga. The northerners won the Primeira Liga championship that year. On the 6th of September 2011 Porto exercised the rights to sign the rest of Otamendi's playing rights. He played 30 official games during the season helping the club secure back-to-back domestic league titles. He also contributed to winning the Taça de Portugal and three Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira trophies between 2011 and 2013. The squad lifted the UEFA Europa League in 2010, 11 adding to their domestic dominance. By the end of his time there he had won eight major titles total.
On the 5th of February 2014 Otamendi was sold to Valencia CF in La Liga for €12 million on a five-year contract starting the 1st of July. He was immediately loaned to Clube Atlético Mineiro in Brazil where he played 19 times scoring once. That goal opened a 4, 1 win at city rivals América Futebol Clube (MG) on the 23rd of March. He made his debut in the Spanish top level on the 23rd of August 2014 starting in a 1, 1 away draw against Sevilla FC. His first goal for Valencia came on the 4th of October helping to a 3, 1 home success over Atlético Madrid. On the 4th of January 2015 he headed Valencia's winner in a 2, 1 home win over Real Madrid ending their opponents' club record 22-match winning streak. He became the only player from his team named in the La Liga Team of the Year after scoring six goals in the league. Late into the 2015 pre-season Otamendi refused to train or play with Valencia to avoid thwarting his chances of signing elsewhere. On the 20th of August he joined Manchester City on a five-year deal for £32 million. He scored his first goal for the club on the 31st of October 2015 in a 2, 1 home win over Norwich City. The team won the Football League Cup on the 28th of February 2016 defeating Liverpool on penalties.
On the 1st of November 2017 Otamendi netted his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4, 2 away win over Napoli. A month later on the 10th of December he scored the winning goal in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. That victory helped City stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points. They lifted the Premier League title that season with a record-breaking 100 points marking his first league title in England. In April 2018 he was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside teammates Kyle Walker, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero. During the 2018, 19 season Otamendi helped Manchester City become the first English side to win a domestic men's treble. The trophy collection included the League Cup, Premier League title and FA Cup. His final season saw him make 39 appearances total while helping retain the League Cup for the third consecutive year in March 2020. On the 29th of September 2020 Otamendi moved to former club Porto's rivals Benfica signing a three-year contract for €15 million. This deal involved defender Rúben Dias moving to Manchester City for a larger fee as part of the exchange. He made his league debut in a 3, 2 win against Farense on the 4th of October.
As captain Otamendi steered Benfica to the 2022, 23 Primeira Liga triumph. He scored his first goal for the club on the 8th of February 2021 in a 2, 0 victory over Famalicão. On the 4th of January 2025 he made his 200th appearance for the club in a 2, 1 defeat against Braga. He reached his 100th Champions League appearance on the 28th of January 2026 featuring in a 4, 2 victory against Real Madrid. The team also won the Taça da Liga during the 2024, 25 season and secured two Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira titles in 2023 and 2025. Individual accolades included being named Primeira Liga Team of the Year for both 2022, 23 and 2024, 25 seasons. He was also named Primeira Liga Defender of the Month in April 2025. His leadership transformed the squad into consistent title contenders after joining from Manchester City.
In April 2009 Otamendi was called up by Argentina national team coach Diego Maradona for a friendly with Panama. At the time he had only played 11 professional games yet started the match on the 20th of May in a 3, 1 win. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign he played as a centre back alongside Martín Demichelis against Ecuador. He partnered former Vélez teammate Domínguez against Brazil in a 1, 3 home defeat and appeared as a right back in a 1, 0 win in Uruguay which sealed qualification to South Africa. On the 19th of May 2010 he was confirmed as part of the 23-men squad for the final stages featuring in the starting eleven for the final group stage game against Greece. After that match Maradona said in his opinion he was the best player on the field. He played the full 90 minutes of the round-of-16 game against Mexico which Argentina won 3, 1. His final appearance came in the 0, 4 quarter-final loss to Germany where his performance received criticism from the football press. The manager's decision to improvise him on the right-back position drew negative attention despite his stated desire to always play for his national team.
Otamendi scored his first goal for Argentina on the 2nd of September 2011 in a 1, 0 friendly win over Venezuela in Kolkata after heading a corner taken by Lionel Messi. He was cut from the squad that later appeared at the 2014 World Cup but selected by coach Gerardo Martino for the 2015 Copa América. He played the entirety of all but one match as they lost 1, 4 to hosts Chile on a penalty shootout in the final. He was named in the Team of the Tournament. He started all games in the Copa América Centenario in the United States facing Chile again and losing 2, 4 in penalties. On the 10th of June 2016 he scored the opening goal in a 5, 0 win against Panama. In June 2021 he was included in Lionel Scaloni's final 28-man squad for the 2021 Copa América. On the 10th of July he played the entire match as Argentina defeated Brazil 1, 0 in the final to win the tournament. On the 18th of December 2022 in his 100th international cap he fouled Randal Kolo Muani giving away the penalty for France's opening goal in the final. Argentina eventually won 4, 2 in the penalty shoot-out after the match ended 3, 3 at extra-time. He played every single minute of the tournament.
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Common questions
When did Nicolás Otamendi make his Primera División debut for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield?
Nicolás Otamendi made his Primera División debut for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield on the 10th of May 2008. The match ended in a 2, 1 home win against Rosario Central during the Clausura tournament.
How much money did Manchester City pay to sign Nicolás Otamendi from Valencia CF?
Manchester City signed Nicolás Otamendi from Valencia CF on the 20th of August 2014 for £32 million on a five-year deal. He scored his first goal for the club on the 31st of October 2015 in a 2, 1 home win over Norwich City.
Which major trophies did Nicolás Otamendi win while playing for FC Porto between 2010 and 2013?
Nicolás Otamendi won eight major titles total at FC Porto including the Primeira Liga championship, Taça de Portugal, three Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira trophies, and the UEFA Europa League. He played 30 official games during the season helping the club secure back-to-back domestic league titles.
When did Nicolás Otamendi score his first goal for the Argentina national team?
Nicolás Otamendi scored his first goal for Argentina on the 2nd of September 2011 in a 1, 0 friendly win over Venezuela in Kolkata after heading a corner taken by Lionel Messi. He was named in the Team of the Tournament for the 2015 Copa América.
What happened when Nicolás Otamendi played against France in the 2022 World Cup final?
On the 18th of December 2022 in his 100th international cap Nicolás Otamendi fouled Randal Kolo Muani giving away the penalty for France's opening goal in the final. Argentina eventually won 4, 2 in the penalty shoot-out after the match ended 3, 3 at extra-time while he played every single minute of the tournament.