Nicolás Otamendi

Nicolás Otamendi

Otamendi playing for Valencia in 2015
Personal information
Full name Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi
Date of birth (1988-02-12) 12 February 1988
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Manchester City
Number 30
Youth career
1995–2007 Vélez Sarsfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Vélez Sarsfield 40 (1)
2010–2014 Porto 77 (7)
2014–2015 Valencia 35 (6)
2014 → Atlético Mineiro (loan) 5 (0)
2015– Manchester City 40 (1)
National team‡
2009– Argentina 43 (3)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 04:20, 29 November 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 07:32, 16 November 2016 (UTC)

Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi (born 12 February 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for English club Manchester City and the Argentina national team as a central defender.

In his professional career he played mainly for Vélez Sarsfield and Porto, winning eight major titles with the second including three national championships and the 2011 Europa League.

An Argentinian international since 2009, Otamendi represented the country at the 2010 World Cup and two Copa América, helping them to consecutive runner-up finishes.

Club career

Vélez

Born in Buenos Aires, Otamendi made his Primera División debut for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield on 10 May 2008, in a 2–1 home win against Rosario Central for the Clausura tournament.[2] During manager Hugo Tocalli's spell he was only fifth-choice stopper, behind Waldo Ponce, Fernando Tobio, Marco Torsiglieri and Mariano Uglessich. However, his role in the first team changed during Ricardo Gareca's first season as head coach, the 2009 Clausura: he replaced Ponce for the third game after the Chilean was injured while playing for his national team,[2] and eventually won a starting position alongside Sebastián Domínguez,[2] playing 17 of the 19 games in Vélez's winning campaign.[3]

Otamendi scored his first professional goal during the 2009 Apertura, in Vélez' 3–1 victory over Arsenal de Sarandí. During that season he also made his debuts in an international club competition, appearing in the Copa Sudamericana; in recognition of his performances throughout the year he was chosen for the South American Team of the Year, in a traditional continent-wide journalists' poll conducted by the newspaper El País.[4]

Porto

On 23 August 2010, Otamendi was transferred to Portuguese side FC Porto on a €4 million fee, signing a five-year contract –[5] Vélez also retained 50% of his registration rights, with the player having a pre-set price of another €4 million to be met by Porto prior to September 2011.[6] He netted in his first match, a 2–0 home victory over S.C. Olhanense,[7] finishing his first season with 15 appearances and five goals (notably both in a 2–0 away win against S.C. Braga[8]) as the northerners won the Primeira Liga championship.

On 6 September 2011, Porto exercised the rights to sign the remainder of Otamendi's playing rights.[9][10] He played 30 official games during the season to help the club to another two major titles, notably the back-to-back domestic league.

Valencia

On 5 February 2014, Otamendi was sold to Valencia CF in La Liga for €12 million, on a five-year contract starting on 1 July.[11] He was immediately loaned to Clube Atlético Mineiro in Brazil,[12] and played 19 times for the team from Belo Horizonte, scoring once to open a 4–1 win at city rivals América Futebol Clube (MG) on 23 March in the first leg of the semi-final of the state championship.[13]

Otamendi made his debut in the Spanish top level on 23 August 2014, starting in a 1–1 away draw against Sevilla FC.[14] He scored his first goal for his new club on 4 October, helping to a 3–1 home success over Atlético Madrid.[15]

On 4 January 2015, Otamendi headed Valencia's winner in a 2–1 home win over Real Madrid, ending their opponents' club record 22-match winning streak as a result.[16] After helping Los Che qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in four years, becoming the first club stopper to score six goals in the league in the process,[17] he was the only player from his team to be named in the La Liga Team of the Year.[18]

Manchester City

Late into the 2015 pre-season, Otamendi refused to train or play with Valencia in order to avoid thwarting his chances of signing for another club.[19] On 20 August, he joined Manchester City on a five-year deal for an initial fee of £28.5 million.[20][21] He made his debut on 15 September, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Vincent Kompany in a 1–2 home loss against Juventus F.C. for the Champions League group phase;[22] his Premier League debut came four days later, in a 1–2 defeat to West Ham United at the City of Manchester Stadium.[23]

On 31 October 2015, Otamendi scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 home win over Norwich City.[24] He played the full 120 minutes as they won the Football League Cup on 28 February 2016, defeating Liverpool on a penalty shootout in the final.[25]

International career

Otamendi playing for Argentina in 2009

In April 2009, Otamendi was called up by Argentine national team coach Diego Maradona for a friendly with Panama.[26] At the time of his selection he had only played 11 professional games,[2] and eventually started the match on 20 May, in a 3–1 win.

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Otamendi played as a centre-back alongside Martín Demichelis against Ecuador (0–2 away loss), partnered former Vélez teammate Domínguez against Brazil in a 1–3 home defeat and appeared as a right-back in a 1–0 win in Uruguay which sealed the country's qualification to South Africa.[27] On 19 May 2010 he was confirmed as part of the 23-men squad for the final stages,[28] featuring in the starting eleven for the final group stage game against Greece; on the press conference after the match, Maradona said that, in his opinion, he was the best player on the field.[29]

Otamendi also played the 90 minutes of the round-of-16 game against Mexico, which Argentina won by 3–1. His final appearance in the tournament was the 0–4 quarter-final loss against Germany: this time his performance received criticism by the football press, as did his manager's decision to improvise him on the right-back position;[30][31] however, the player subsequently stated his desire to always play for his national team, even if not in his natural position.[32]

Otamendi scored his first goal for Argentina on 2 September 2011, in a 1–0 friendly win over Venezuela in Kolkata, after heading a corner taken by Lionel Messi.[33] After being cut from the squad that later appeared at the 2014 World Cup,[34] he was selected by coach Gerardo Martino for the 2015 Copa América,[35] playing the entirety of all but one match as they lost to hosts Chile on a penalty shootout in the final; he was named in the Team of the Tournament.[36]

Otamendi started all the games in the Copa América Centenario in the United States, lost 2–4 in the same fashion to the same opponent.[37] In the second group match against Panama, on 10 June 2016, he scored the opening goal in a 5–0 win.[38]

International goals

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1
2 September 2011 Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, India  Venezuela
1–0
1–0
Friendly [33]
2
10 June 2016 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  Panama
1–0
5–0
Copa America Centenario [39]
3
6 September 2016 Metropolitano de Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela  Venezuela
2–2
2–2
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 November 2016[40]
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other[lower-roman 1] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vélez Sarsfield 2007–08 Primera División 10–00–10
2008–09 180–00–180
2009–10 191–140–331
2010–11 20–00–20
Total 401–140–541
Porto 2010–11 Primeira Liga 1552013120326
2011–12 202106020292
2012–13 290208031421
2013–14 130214000191
Total 777713117112210
Atlético Mineiro 2014 Série A 50007071191
Valencia 2013–14 La Liga 0000000000
2014–15 35630—00386
Total 356300000386
Manchester City 2015–16 Premier League 3017011000481
2016–17 100106000170
Total 4018017000651
Career total 1971618169114229819
  1. ↑ Including Taça da Liga and Campeonato Mineiro.

Honours

Club

[41]

Vélez
Porto
Manchester City

International

Argentina

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Nicolás Otamendi". Valencia CF. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Nicolás Otamendi: "El de Vélez es un grupo con hambre"" [Nicolás Otamendi: "Vélez is a hungry group"] (in Spanish). La Nación. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
  3. ↑ "Closing '09 statistics". Argentine Soccer. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Verón fue elegido como el mejor jugador de América" [Verón chosen best player in America] (in Spanish). 24CON. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  5. ↑ "Porto sign Argentina defender Otamendi". UEFA.com. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  6. ↑ "Acordo de princípio para a compra do jogador Otamendi" [Negotiations for acquisition of player Otamendi] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 23 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "Can anybody stop this Dragon?". PortuGOAL. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "No let-up from FC Porto and Benfica". PortuGOAL. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "Porto finalise Otamendi purchase". FIFA.com. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 6 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "Valencia confirm signing of Nicolás Otamendi". Inside Spanish Football. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  12. ↑ "Nicolas Otamendi jugará en Atlético Mineiro cedido por el Valencia" [Nicolas Otamendi will play in Atlético Mineiro loaned by Valencia] (in Spanish). Goal.com. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "Atlético goleia o América e larga na frente na semifinal do Mineiro" [Atlético thrash América and lead the Mineiro semi-final] (in Portuguese). Atlético Mineiro. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  14. ↑ "Punto de fe del Valencia" [Valencia point of faith] (in Spanish). Marca. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "El Valencia derroca al campeón" [Valencia knocks champion out] (in Spanish). Super Deporte. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Oliver, Pete (4 January 2015). "Valencia 2–1 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "Histórico 'Otakaiser': primer central che que marca seis goles en Liga" [Historical 'Otakaiser': first che stopper who scores six goals in League] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  18. ↑ Skinner, Adam (17 June 2015). "Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead La Liga team of the year... but there's no place for Gareth Bale after disappointing season". Daily Mail. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Otamendi se niega a jugar con el Valencia" [Otamendi refuses to play with Valencia] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  20. ↑ "Nicolas Otamendi joins City". Manchester City F.C. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Nicolas Otamendi: Manchester City sign £32m Argentina defender". BBC Sport. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "Morata earns Juventus victory at Manchester City". UEFA.com. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "Man City 1-2 West Ham". BBC Sport. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  24. ↑ "Man City 2-1 Norwich". BBC Sport. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  25. ↑ "Liverpool 1–1 Manchester City". BBC Sport. 28 February 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  26. ↑ "Bocación local" [Local bocation] (in Spanish). Olé. 17 April 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
  27. ↑ "Maradona probó con Otamendi como lateral" [Maradona tested Otamendi as fullback] (in Spanish). La Capital MdP. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  28. ↑ "¡Acá están, estos son!" [These are the guys!] (in Spanish). Olé. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  29. ↑ "Liniers queda en Sudáfrica" [Liniers stays in South Africa] (in Spanish). Olé. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  30. ↑ Daniel Edwards (4 July 2010). "World Cup 2010 Comment: Javier Zanetti or Nicolas Otamendi? The decision to snub Inter's captain cost Maradona & Argentina". Goal.com. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  31. ↑ Ian Ladyman (5 July 2010). "Diego Maradona finally exposed as Argentina's weakest link... along with their right full back". Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  32. ↑ "Quiero jugar siempre aunque no sea en mi puesto" [I want to play always even if it's out of position] (in Spanish). Olé. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  33. 1 2 "La Argentina de Sabella comienza con victoria ante Venezuela en Calcuta" [Sabella's Argentina starts with win against Venezuela in Kolkata] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  34. ↑ "Otamendi making the most of every opportunity". FIFA.com. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  35. ↑ "Gerardo Martino confirmó la lista de 23 convocados y mantuvo a Casco para la Copa América" [Gerardo Martino confirmed list of 23 selected and kept Casco for the Copa América] (in Spanish). La Nación. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  36. 1 2 "Copa América 2015 – Team of the tournament". CONMEBOL. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  37. ↑ "Chile win Copa América once again as Argentina title drought continues". The Guardian. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  38. ↑ "Lionel Messi scores brilliant hat-trick as Argentina surge into quarter-finals". The Guardian. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  39. ↑ "Argentina golea 5–0 a Panamá con triplete de Messi" [Argentina routs Panama 5–0 with three from Messi] (in Spanish). RPC-TV. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  40. ↑ "N. Otamendi". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  41. ↑ "N. Otamendi – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  42. ↑ "The 2014/15 Liga BBVA Ideal XI". Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2015.

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