Nicolás Otamendi is set to fulfil a lifelong dream by joining River Plate, and the veteran defender is reportedly willing to skip his post-World Cup holiday to make his debut as soon as this weekend.
According to Argentine newspaper Olé, the 39-year-old centre-back is expected to travel directly to Argentina after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he represented Argentina in the final against Spain, and could immediately join training under head coach Eduardo Coudet.
Otamendi, who recently signed a contract with River Plate until the end of 2027, may even feature against Barracas Central in the opening round of the Torneo Clausura, less than a week after Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final.
While a period of rest would normally be expected after such a demanding tournament, the former Benfica captain is determined to begin his River Plate career without delay. A lifelong supporter of the Buenos Aires club, Otamendi is eager to wear the famous red-and-white shirt for the first time.
His arrival could provide a significant boost for River Plate, who were recently knocked out of the Copa Argentina after a 3-1 defeat to Aldosivi in the Round of 32.
Otamendi also arrives in outstanding physical condition. During the World Cup, he appeared in seven of Argentina's eight matches, playing 243 minutes and serving as an important defensive option for coach Lionel Scaloni, often coming off the bench to strengthen the back line.
Before the tournament, the experienced defender enjoyed another impressive campaign with Benfica, making 49 appearances and accumulating 4,314 minutes, the third-highest total in Argentina's World Cup squad. His fitness and consistency are expected to help him make an immediate impact at River Plate.
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