Otamendi has shown great professionalism and team spirit in the Argentine national team. Despite being pushed to the bench during the Copa America due to Lisandro Martinez's outstanding performance, he has not been negative about it, but instead has taken the big picture into consideration and emphasized the interest of the team above all else. This attitude has not only earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches, but has also allowed him to contribute to the team at critical moments.
During Scaloni's tenure, Otamendi played an important role in the team's first three titles as a starting center back. However, the game of soccer is brutally competitive and with the rise of Lisandro Martinez, he had to accept a new role placement. Nonetheless, Otamendi maintained his hunger for the game and his quest for victory, and he proved his worth once again by scoring a crucial penalty against Ecuador in the quarterfinals to help Argentina advance to the semifinals.
Otamendi was full of anticipation and excitement about his first Olympic experience. He confessed that he came to the Olympic Games with little vacation because it was an experience he had never had before. Even though he hadn't played for the youth team before and went straight into the adult team, it didn't dampen his enthusiasm for the Olympics. He thanked Benfica FC for their understanding and support, which allowed him to have the opportunity to represent the Argentine national team at the event.
As the captain of the team, Otamendi is tasked with leading the team to repeat the glory of the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics. He knows that this is not an easy task, but says that he is fully prepared and willing to put in all his efforts for the team. He is looking forward to showing his best form in the Olympics, helping Argentina win the gold medal and realizing his dream.
Finally, Otamendi expressed his anticipation and excitement for the start of the competition. He sacrificed his vacation to attend the Olympics so that he could prove his strength and value on this stage. He believes that as long as the whole team is united and works hard, they will be able to create a glorious moment that belongs to Argentina.
