Nicolás Otamendi, now 38, is set to return to Argentina with River Plate, the club he is reported to be joining as a free agent once his Benfica contract expires in June 2026. The defender is described as River's first signing, with the move framed as a commitment that activates after the 2026 World Cup rather than an immediate switch. There is no fee involved — this is a free transfer — and the language around it reads as settled rather than speculative. The story rests on A Bola, a credible Portuguese outlet, which carried clear confirmation including a direct quote from the player and explicit commitment language stating he will join after the World Cup. That is a single source rather than a chorus, but it is a reliable one and the wording goes well beyond hints or emojis. It stands as a firm, on-the-record link rather than idle gossip. The engine's 93% reflects how close this is to a formality. With Otamendi a free agent and the player himself quoted committing to the move, the usual obstacles — a transfer fee, negotiating clubs, a reluctant seller — simply do not apply. The small slice of doubt covers the long runway: a deal pegged to after the 2026 World Cup leaves time for circumstances to shift before pen meets paper. What to watch next is the formal announcement. Because the timeline stretches to mid-2026, the trigger will be River confirming the signing officially and Otamendi running down his Benfica deal as planned. Any change in his standing before the World Cup would be the only thing capable of disturbing an otherwise near-certain reunion.