Argentina flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, who holds the record for most points scored in a Los Pumas jersey, has announced his retirement from the game.
Between 2010 and 2023, Sanchez scored an incredible 902 points in 104 Tests for his country, including 97 at the 2015 World Cup where he was top point-scorer.
“After many years of dedication, effort and passion, I have decided to retire from rugby, a sport that has shaped me as a player and as a person,” said the 36-year-old, who closes his career at Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan, on his Instagram account.
Born and bred in Tucuman, Sanchez scored all the points in the historic victory over New Zealand (25-15) in November 2020, the first in Argentina’s history.
¡Gracias, Nico! 🫶
👉 ¿Tu mejor recuerdo de Nicolás Sánchez con la camiseta de Los Pumas?#SomosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/crjScbBc8R
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) January 23, 2025
His last cap came in the third-place playoff at the 2023 World Cup, which he lost to England.
“We’re going to miss you, Nico,” said the Pumas account on Twitter.
Sanchez played three seasons of Super Rugby with Jaguares but most of his club rugby was in France where he turned out for Bordeaux-Begles, Toulon, Stade Francais and Brive.
El último try de Nico con la camiseta de Los Pumas. 🥺
🏉 Triunfo 29-17 ante Gales en Marsella, por los cuartos de final del Mundial de Francia 2023.
👉 ¡Contanos como lo viviste este día!#SomosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/FUKBpHUMUl
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) January 23, 2025
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
