The Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi put cold cloths on a possible arrival to River and clarified that “out of respect for the club” he will remain focused on the Benfica of Portugal until the end of his contract, in June 2025.
At the same time, the world champion and two-time American champion with the National Team admitted to being a fan of Núñez’s team, but chose not to create hope in the people to avoid being insulted if he did not comply with the transfer.
The rumor of the possible arrival of Otamendi to River was established after winning the World Cup and is becoming louder and louder.
For the first time he was the one who referred to the topic, but his response was not what the “Millonario” fans expected.
Although “Ota” did not rule out joining River, the experienced defender decided to be cautious with the issue and focus on his relationship with Portuguese club Benfica, with whom he is currently competing in the Champions League.
In it, Otamendi was a starter and captain in the two games played so far, demonstrating the importance of his role in his current team.
Likewise, the center-back confirmed that he watches “all of River’s games” and that he even has “a very good relationship with the leaders and the kids who are in the club,” in an interview with the ESPN signal.
Regarding the current situation of the team led by Marcelo Gallardo, Otamendi said that “there are two little steps left” for River to get into a new Libertadores final, and said that, if it does not coincide with a Benfica match, he will look “for a little while.” of that hypothetical final.
At the time his contract with the Lisbon team expires, the defender will be 37 years old and, if he signs with River, he would become the fourth world champion player in Qatar 2022 to play for the “Millonario” after said conquest, along with goalkeeper Franco Armani, who was already in the club, and defenders Germán Pezzella and Marcos Acuña, incorporated in the last transfer market.
Source: Ambito
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