In Portugal, they claim that the Argentine center-back has already decided his future once the 2026 World Cup ends.
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While he thinks about his last matches of the first semester and starts planning for the mid-year transfer market, River received a key signal from Europe. In recent hours, Nicolás Otamendi reportedly communicated toBenficathat he would not renew his contract,leaving everything set for him to fulfill his dream of playing for the Núñez team once he finishes his participation with the Argentine National Team in the 2026 World Cup.
According to the Portuguese media Récord, the center-back would end his current contract, valid until June 30, and would leave with his transfer in hand, having "free rein to sign with River Plate". Although there are other suitors, the Millonario would be his main possible destination once he leaves the Lisbon team.
Previously, the management led by Stefano Di Carlo made him a formal proposal, and the fact that he arrives with his transfer in hand simplifies the operation, as there will be no transfer fee, but only the need to agree on his contract.
Otamendi would be on track to join River.
Meanwhile, Otamendi is preparing to close his chapter in Portugal. This Saturday he will play his last match with Benfica when the team visits Estoril for the final matchday of the Primeira Liga, and it will be a special farewell, as he will not be able to do so in front of his fans at the Estadio da Luz.
From the Portuguese club, they tried to retain him until the last moment. Both president Rui Costa and coach José Mourinho publicly expressed their desire for him to stay. "There are people who have the right to choose their future for everything they have built in football. And Otamendi is one of them," said the coach, making it clear that the final decision was in the player's hands.
With this scenario, River positions itself as the main candidate to acquire the experienced defender, who at 36 years old could start the final stretch of his career in Argentine football, just atthe club he has always dreamed of playing for.
Otamendi's numbers at Benfica
Since his arrival in mid-2020, the former Vélez player has played 24,953 minutes with the Lisbon team, distributed over 280 matches, in which he scored 18 goals, provided 14 assists, and received 72 yellow cards and 6 red cards, 4 for second yellow cards and 2 direct red cards. In terms of titles, the Argentine center-back has won 4: 1 League Cup (2020/21), 1 Primeira Liga (2022/23), and 2 Supercups of Portugal (2023 and 2025).
