Sergio Ageuro has warned Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi not to injure Lionel Messi in their Champions League group stage match on September 6, 2022.
Paris St-Germain, Juventus, Benfica, and Israel’s Premier League winners, Maccabi Haifa, have been paired in Group H.
Otamendi will meet two of his national teammates, Lionel Messi of PSG and Angel Di Maria of Juventus. In a bid to stop those two world-class players from eliminating Benfica, the Argentine defender might need to rough handle them with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar fast approaching.
The pairing is a big concern for Argentina national team supporters. Hence, the defender has been urged to be careful not to injure Messi and Di Maria because the team needs the players in the World Cup to fancy their chances of lifting the trophy.
To ensure that Lionel Messi is safe when he goes against his national teammate in the Champions League this season, the country’s iconic footballer, Sergio Aguero took to his Twitch channel to warn Otamendi to play safe against Messi.
Aguero said: “PSG, Juventus, Benfica… Otamendi is going to have to put in a couple of kicks. Otamendi is at Benfica, so he’s going to have to start hitting and he’s going to cross it with Leo. Don’t hurt Leo, because I’ll kill you. The World Cup is coming, Ota.”
Argentina’s national team is in Group C with Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia. The FIFA World Cup will commence on November 21 and end on December 18, 2022.
¡Esto dijo el Kun Agüero cuando se enteró que el #Benfica de Nicolás Otamendi tiene que jugar ante el #PSG de Lionel Messi en la fase de grupos de la #UEFAChampionsLeague! pic.twitter.com/hAEtTIHUTf
— DAT (@DeportesAlTacok) August 26, 2022
Who is Nicolas Otamendi?
Nicolas Otamendi is an Argentine defender who plays as a center-back for the Portuguese side Benfica and the Argentina national team. He was born on February 12, 1988, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Otamendi is 34 years old. The defender’s height is 1.80m (6 ft 0 in).
The defender wears number 30 and he started his career playing for Velez Sarsfield. The defender made 40 appearances with only one goal to his name.
In 2015, he joined Manchester City and won the Premier League twice, four League Cups, and the FA Cup, before he left the English giant in September 2020.
Otamendi represented Argentina in two different World Cups and four Copa Americas. Nicolas won Copa America on his fourth attempt when Argentina played Brazil in the final.
In 529 career appearances, the defender has scored 31career goals, most of them coming from headers.
Otamendi Elbow
In a match between Brazil and Argentina, which ended in a goalless draw. Nicolas elbowed former Leeds United attacker Raphinha. The Brazilian needed five stitches to be able to continue with the game.
Raphinha bled profusely, and even though the winger showed what happened to the referee, he was not penalized for the foul on the Brazilian.
Manchester United transfer on Otamendi
Before moving to Manchester City from Valencia, it was rumored that he would be moving to Manchester United. He was going to be expensive for Manchester United, who had already agreed personal terms with him.
Manchester City offered a better deal for Nicolas, who was happy to join the Red Devils’ neighbors. The defender proved to be a nightmare for Manchester United after he scored on so many occasions in the Manchester derby.
