Nicolas Otamendi River Plate Contract 2026: Benfica Exit Confirmed

Otamendi returns home after Benfica Spell

River Plate officially unveiled Nicolas Otamendi on May 29, 2026. The 38-year-old centre-back signed a free transfer deal until Dec 31, 2027 ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

2022 World Cup winner Nicolas Otamendi joins River Plate on an 18-month deal from July 2026 to Dec 2027. The defender left Benfica after 6 seasons and 281 games...

After confirming his exit from Benfica in mid-May, Nicolas Otamendi was officially presented by River Plate on Friday. The move brings the defender back to Argentina ahead of his last World Cup.

“This Friday, May 29, the defender finalized his contract, which will keep him at the club from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. The contract was signed in the presence of president Stefano Di Carlo, in the president’s office,” read the brief statement published by the club on their official website.

Otamendi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. He joins River Plate on a free transfer after turning down a new deal at Benfica, where he spent six seasons. His final game for the Aguias was a 1-3 win over Estoril. He leaves the club with 281 appearances, 18 goals and 8 assists, plus one league title, a League Cup and two Super Cups.

COMUNICADO OFICIAL

Nicolás Otamendi será nuevo jugador de River Plate desde el 1 de julio de 2026.

ℹ️ https://t.co/v7ocNlGYOS pic.twitter.com/JVNChWetRq

— River Plate (@RiverPlate) May 29, 2026

He also had a stint with Porto in Portugal. During that time the centre-back picked up seven trophies, including three league titles with the club’s rivals.

With his club situation sorted, Otamendi is now focused on Argentina. The veteran defender is set to play a key role for the Albiceleste as they prepare for the final phase of the 2026 World Cup.