Officially: Otamendi leaves Benfica. The Argentine player is now a free agent.

Officially: Otamendi leaves Benfica. The Argentine player becomes a free agent.

Lisbon’s club confirmed the end of their partnership with Nicolas Otamendi. The central defender leaves Benfica as a free agent, allowing him to choose freely where he wants to continue his career.

Otamendi joined Benfica in September 2020, after leaving Manchester City. He quickly became part of the team’s starting lineup. Over four seasons, the Argentine player played more than 150 official matches. He won two Portuguese championships, the Copa do Rei, and regularly appeared in the Champions League. Despite being 36 years old, he still maintained high physical fitness. He demonstrated leadership skills and remained a key figure in the club’s defense.

Being a free agent gives this experienced defender a wide range of options. Possible destinations include returning to South America, moving to the MLS, or joining the Saudi Pro League, where players with a winning mentality and knowledge of top leagues are highly valued. The club’s representatives have already started negotiations with interested parties. An official announcement of a new contract is expected in the coming weeks.

Benfica thanked Otamendi for his contributions to the team’s success and wished him well in his future career. For Benfica, this means starting a planned reorganization of the team’s defense. Meanwhile, Otamendi can choose where he wants to complete his professional career.