Qatar 2022: Nicholas Otamendi, From Argentina Liability To Rock

The 34-year-old will receive his 100th cap in the World Cup final on Sunday, which is fitting reward for a center-back experiencing an incredible comeback.

Midway through Manchester City’s record-breaking 2017–18 Premier League season, manager Pep Guardiola disclosed the key to his team’s success. He told reporters, “We have a Superman in the team.” “Players like Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Sergio Aguero are often mentioned, and they deserve it.

“But if I would like to point to a player who deserves full respect for what they have done until now, it’s Nico Otamendi. “He’s one the biggest competitors I’ve ever seen in my life. He is so important. Without Nico, it would not be possible, what we have done.”

The same now holds true for Argentina’s thrilling path to the 2022 World Cup final.

It is astounding but perhaps not surprising that Lionel Messi, 35, has played every second of every minute of every game. He’s not of this world, as we’ve known for a long time. For a player who is still making a mockery of accepted wisdom, the usual rules do not apply.

Just have a look at how he played with the talented Josko Gvardiol, who is 15 years younger than him, during Argentina’s victory against Croatia in the semifinals.

It’s absolutely astonishing that Otamendi hasn’t missed a single second either, though.

When City allowed him to go for Benfica in 2020 as part of the agreement that saw Ruben Dias move in the opposite direction, it seemed like he was a player whose best days were behind him.

Guardiola still had the utmost regard for the departing Otamendi, but he was reasonably concerned that the defender was suffering as a result of his “warrior-like mindset.”

“He’s a guy who plays with problems, with kicks, with muscular issues and always he’s there – it’s incredible,” the Catalan enthused. “But we just thought we needed a younger squad. He is now more than 30.”

Yet here he is, two years later, experiencing a miraculous comeback.

Otamendi was constantly present as Benfica advanced through two qualifying rounds and into the round of 16 of the Champions League this year after winning a group that included included Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Not bad for someone who committed a penalty on their first play. The fear among Benfica supporters at the time was that they had been misled and that Otamendi had outlived his usefulness.

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There was a concern that he would be Argentina’s weak link in Qatar despite his great start to the current season. Otamendi, though, has performed flawlessly. He hasn’t actually committed a single defensive error, as the statistics demonstrate.

New coach Martin Demichelis called his former Manchester City teammate “one of the best center-backs at the World Cup” in a public appeal for Otamendi to join River Plate.

But in reality, he’s been the finest. With 20 more aerial duels won than any other defender, Otamendi has been a towering presence at the back, and the sheer force of some of his man-and-ball tackles has caused audible gasps from the press box.

Furthermore, in Argentina’s vital last match in Group C, Otamendi came over frequently to put Robert Lewandowski in his place when Cristian Romero was initially having trouble keeping up with the Polish forward.

His role in ensuring that Argentina kept possession, however, has truly stood out.

Otamendi was always complimented by Guardiola for having the stamina to compete in the Premier League on both a physical and cerebral level. Pep emphasized that he demonstrated bravery on the ball as well as in the tackle. That is happening once more in Qatar.

We are aware of his threat in the opposition’s penalty area thanks to his heading skills, and he undoubtedly contributed to Messi’s opening goal against Australia. With more effective passes (462) than any of his teammates and more long balls (11) than any other outfield player, Otamendi has been more crucial to Argentina’s build-up play.

These are impressive stats coming from a player who many supporters believed was only going to Qatar to cover for Romero and Lisandro Martinez.

But on Sunday, he will play in a World Cup final, marking his 100th international appearance. After defeating Croatia to get to the semifinals, he exclaimed, “What a wonderful crazy!

Of course, this incredible voyage could end in heartbreak. France has a strong offensive line. They have three attacking players—Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann—who are vastly different but equally dangerous. Stopping them won’t be simple at all. France seems to always find a solution.

Otamendi, however, declared in Lusail, “We’ll give it our all. There are 26 warriors on our team. We battle for both ourselves and the people.”

It will likely be a fight, but they can win it. After all, Argentina’s starting lineup on Sunday won’t just consist of Messi. And he won’t be the only “Superman” there.

At this World Cup, Nicolas Otamendi is defying physics just like his captain, and if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that he’s obviously not finished yet.