Otamendi: Playing alongside Messi is an invaluable honor

The veteran Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi spoke about his national team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup, affirming that "La Albiceleste" enters the tournament with a champion's mentality and a strong desire to defend their world title.

Otamendi explained that the Argentine national team is accustomed to dealing with major pressures and challenges, noting that the players are entirely focused on the present without being preoccupied with what the future might hold.

The Argentine defender said, "We are a team born to compete and fight against difficulties, so I don't think about everything coming to an end. Instead, I live each day as it comes and try to enjoy every moment."

Otamendi also gave special praise to the national team captain, Lionel Messi, expressing his pride in the long journey he shared with the Argentine football legend within the national team.

He added: "I have enjoyed having Leo Messi by my side all these years. We have shared unforgettable wonderful moments together. It's true that we also went through tough times and painful disappointments, but the experiences we shared will always be special to us."

Regarding the anticipated match against the Algerian national team, Otamendi confirmed that "the Greens" have a strong group of players capable of making a difference, which requires Argentina to maintain the highest level of focus.

He said in this context: "Algeria has a strong lineup and high-level players, so we must be at our best both defensively and offensively if we want to achieve the result we are looking for."

The Argentine international concluded his remarks by affirming that his national team is aware of the responsibility placed on them as the World Cup titleholders, emphasizing that everyone is aiming to defeat the champion.

He added, "We are the team everyone wants to beat, and that's natural because we are the world champions. We will do everything we can to retain the title and make the Argentine fans happy."