{"id":254936,"first_name":"Nicolás Hernán","last_name":"Otamendi","short_name":"N. Otamendi","common_name":"Nicolás Otamendi","place_of_birth":"Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires","gender":"male","height":181,"weight":81,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T19:05:42.004Z","updatedAt":"2025-05-18T01:04:44.561Z","locale":"en","age":37,"stb_id":"nicolas-otamendi","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Nicolás Otamendi","top_position":null,"introduction":"Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi is an acclaimed Argentine professional footballer known for his commanding presence as a central defender. As of now, he plays for and captains Primeira Liga club Benfica. Among his significant achievements are winning the prestigious 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América with Argentina. His career is marked by important stints at top clubs across South America and Europe, including Porto, Manchester City, and Benfica, where he has accumulated numerous team and individual honors.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nNicolás Otamendi was born on 12 February 1988 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up with a strong interest in football, a sport deeply ingrained in Argentine culture. His family's support played a significant role in nurturing his passion, allowing him to pursue his development in the sport actively.\n\n## Youth Career\nOtamendi began his football journey at Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, where he joined their youth academy. His development as a young player was marked by a blend of technical skills and tactical awareness, which set the stage for his professional career. His noteworthy progress at Vélez eventually led him to make his Primera División debut, laying the groundwork for his future successes in professional football.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\nOtamendi's professional career commenced with Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in 2008. He quickly made a mark by playing a crucial role in Vélez's 2009 Clausura campaign, securing a starting position due to injuries within the squad and subsequently became a mainstay in the team. His standout performances earned him a spot in the South American Team of the Year.\n\nIn 2010, he transitioned to FC Porto, a club where he flourished, being instrumental in their three consecutive Primeira Liga titles and the 2011 Europa League triumph. With Porto, Otamendi's prowess as a defender was well-acknowledged, further cementing his reputation.\n\nOtamendi's career took him to Valencia CF in 2014, but he temporarily moved to Atlético Mineiro before making an impactful debut in La Liga. His performance during the 2014–15 season, including scoring significant goals against top clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, earned him a place in the La Liga Team of the Year.\n\nIn 2015, Otamendi joined Manchester City, where he enjoyed tremendous success, winning back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019, in addition to FA Cups and League Cups. His time in England was characterized by his crucial role in the team's defense, notably being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2017–18 season.\n\nIn 2020, he signed with Benfica, where he continued to showcase his leadership and defensive skills, contributing to their Primeira Liga victory and other significant domestic achievements.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Senior National Team\nOtamendi made his senior team debut for Argentina in 2009, under the guidance of coach Diego Maradona. Despite an early setback in the 2010 World Cup, where he faced criticism playing out of position, he remained a steadfast figure in subsequent campaigns. Over the years, Otamendi represented Argentina in multiple Copa América tournaments, culminating in victories in 2021 and 2024 after earlier near misses. His pinnacle achievement came with the victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, where he played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, including reaching his 100th international cap during the final against France.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nOtamendi is renowned for his robust defending and ability to read the game, making him a formidable centre-back. His technical skills include strong tackling, aerial duels, and an aptitude for critical interventions. Otamendi's physical presence, combined with his leadership skills, has made him an asset in both defensive and attacking set-pieces.\n\n## Performance Statistics\n- Matches played: Over 120 international caps.\n- Goals scored: Notably during club tenures and critical international matches contributing to decisive victories.\n\n## Records\nOtamendi's career is distinguished by his contribution to his teams' successes, holding several club titles across different leagues and two Copa América titles with Argentina, capped by a World Cup win in 2022.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- FIFA World Cup: 2022\n- Copa América: 2021, 2024\n- Primeira Liga with Porto: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13\n- Europa League: 2010–11\n- Premier League with Manchester City: 2017–18, 2018–19\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- South American Team of the Year: 2009\n- La Liga Team of the Season: 2014–15\n- PFA Team of the Year: 2017–18 Premier League\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nOtamendi's individual contributions to his teams have been recognized with numerous selections into Team of the Year honors and accolades for his performances in various leagues and international tournaments.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nOtamendi's impact on football is multi-faceted, marked by his defensive abilities and leadership on the pitch. His time at clubs across South America and Europe has seen him become an integral part of each team's success, culminating in his achievements at the national level.\n\n## Off the Field\nWhile specific details about Otamendi's influence off the field are not extensively covered, his leadership qualities and public image resonate within his football community.\n\n## Personal Life\nThere isn't detailed personal information provided, but Otamendi's dedication to his sport is evident through his continuous contributions and resilience in the face of challenges throughout his career.","stb_internal_id":"019302de-44f2-76dd-b3d4-90434c4a68df","overrides":null,"type_code":"defender","position_type_code":"defender","detailed_position_type_code":"centre-back","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi is an acclaimed Argentine professional footballer known for his commanding presence as a central defender. As of now, he plays for and captains Primeira Liga club Benfica. Among his significant achievements are winning the prestigious 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América with Argentina. His career is marked by important stints at top clubs across South America and Europe, including Porto, Manchester City, and Benfica, where he has accumulated numerous team and individual honors.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Nicolás Otamendi was born on 12 February 1988 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up with a strong interest in football, a sport deeply ingrained in Argentine culture. His family's support played a significant role in nurturing his passion, allowing him to pursue his development in the sport actively.

Youth Career

Otamendi began his football journey at Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield, where he joined their youth academy. His development as a young player was marked by a blend of technical skills and tactical awareness, which set the stage for his professional career. His noteworthy progress at Vélez eventually led him to make his Primera División debut, laying the groundwork for his future successes in professional football.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Otamendi's professional career commenced with Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in 2008. He quickly made a mark by playing a crucial role in Vélez's 2009 Clausura campaign, securing a starting position due to injuries within the squad and subsequently became a mainstay in the team. His standout performances earned him a spot in the South American Team of the Year.

In 2010, he transitioned to FC Porto, a club where he flourished, being instrumental in their three consecutive Primeira Liga titles and the 2011 Europa League triumph. With Porto, Otamendi's prowess as a defender was well-acknowledged, further cementing his reputation.

Otamendi's career took him to Valencia CF in 2014, but he temporarily moved to Atlético Mineiro before making an impactful debut in La Liga. His performance during the 2014–15 season, including scoring significant goals against top clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, earned him a place in the La Liga Team of the Year.

In 2015, Otamendi joined Manchester City, where he enjoyed tremendous success, winning back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019, in addition to FA Cups and League Cups. His time in England was characterized by his crucial role in the team's defense, notably being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2017–18 season.

In 2020, he signed with Benfica, where he continued to showcase his leadership and defensive skills, contributing to their Primeira Liga victory and other significant domestic achievements.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

Otamendi made his senior team debut for Argentina in 2009, under the guidance of coach Diego Maradona. Despite an early setback in the 2010 World Cup, where he faced criticism playing out of position, he remained a steadfast figure in subsequent campaigns. Over the years, Otamendi represented Argentina in multiple Copa América tournaments, culminating in victories in 2021 and 2024 after earlier near misses. His pinnacle achievement came with the victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, where he played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, including reaching his 100th international cap during the final against France.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Otamendi is renowned for his robust defending and ability to read the game, making him a formidable centre-back. His technical skills include strong tackling, aerial duels, and an aptitude for critical interventions. Otamendi's physical presence, combined with his leadership skills, has made him an asset in both defensive and attacking set-pieces.

Performance Statistics

Matches played: Over 120 international caps.
Goals scored: Notably during club tenures and critical international matches contributing to decisive victories.

Records

Otamendi's career is distinguished by his contribution to his teams' successes, holding several club titles across different leagues and two Copa América titles with Argentina, capped by a World Cup win in 2022.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

FIFA World Cup: 2022
Copa América: 2021, 2024
Primeira Liga with Porto: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Europa League: 2010–11
Premier League with Manchester City: 2017–18, 2018–19

Individual Achievements

South American Team of the Year: 2009
La Liga Team of the Season: 2014–15
PFA Team of the Year: 2017–18 Premier League

Awards and Recognition

Otamendi's individual contributions to his teams have been recognized with numerous selections into Team of the Year honors and accolades for his performances in various leagues and international tournaments.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Otamendi's impact on football is multi-faceted, marked by his defensive abilities and leadership on the pitch. His time at clubs across South America and Europe has seen him become an integral part of each team's success, culminating in his achievements at the national level.

Off the Field

While specific details about Otamendi's influence off the field are not extensively covered, his leadership qualities and public image resonate within his football community.

Personal Life

There isn't detailed personal information provided, but Otamendi's dedication to his sport is evident through his continuous contributions and resilience in the face of challenges throughout his career.

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Nicolás Otamendi: Profile