Red trio in action for their national teams

In the early hours of Wednesday, June 11, Otamendi, Kökcü, and Aktürkoğlu, players from Benfica's professional football team, participated in the matches between Argentina and Turkey, respectively.

With qualification for the 2026 World Cup already secured, as well as first place in the CONMEBOL qualifying round, Argentina hosted Colombia at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.

In this match on matchday 16 of the qualifiers, Otamendi, who was honored for his 140 appearances for the Albiceleste, played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw between the two teams.

With a 93% pass completion rate (64/69), Benfica's center back won 7 of the 9 duels he contested and made 3 interceptions and 1 clearance, according to data from the Sofascore platform. The world champion ended the match wearing the captain's armband (Messi was substituted in the 78th minute).

In the United States, Aktürkoğlu started in Turkey's friendly match against Mexico, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for the European side. At Krnan Stadium in Chapel Hill, the Benfica forward was part of coach Vincenzo Montella's starting lineup and was substituted in the 77th minute. Kökcü, meanwhile, came on in the 62nd minute.