Otamendi's 250 games

250 MATCHES FROM OTAMENDI

Last Wednesday, October 29, in the 3-0 victory over Tondela in the quarterfinals of the League Cup, Otamendi reached 250 official games for Sport Lisboa e Benfica and, for this remarkable achievement, was honored in the dressing room.

After the final whistle, Benfica's captain received a picture frame with a personalized jersey bearing the number 250 from President Rui Costa and then addressed the group.

"It's an important milestone for me, both personally and professionally. The joy of continuing to compete... As the professional that I am, I always try to set an example of wanting more and never settling for what I have. Continuing to believe, continuing to win, with the ambition that a player should always have. Very happy, delighted to reach this milestone at this club, a very important club in my career. Let's keep going! Everyone who comes from the youth academy knows this, because they've been here longer than I have. Happy, that's all," said Otamendi, who opened the scoring in the 3-0 win.

José Mourinho also paid tribute to the world champion, highlighting a play that occurred in the home game against Tondela as an example of his professional pride.

"He deserves to be spoken to in his language, but my message is not for him, it is for you. In the 95th minute, the was a counter-attack against our team, and he sprinted 75 meters, resulting in a 2-0 score. My message is not for him, my message is for you," said the coach, sparking a collective ovation for the defender for achieving another important milestone with the Sacred Mantle.