As Argentina prepare to give skipper Lionel Messi a spectacular farewell on Tuesday, Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero faces the biggest challenge of his career: taking over the captaincy of the Albiceleste.
Regarded as one of the world’s best centre-backs, the 28-year-old was named captain by coach Lionel Scaloni for Argentina’s 4-0 win over Bolivia, the first of two friendlies before Messi’s farewell.
Messi, 39, arrived in Argentina on Friday and could attend Saturday’s match against Burkina Faso at the Monumental with his family.
The game, scheduled for 9pm local time, will be the second warm-up before Messi wears the national team shirt for the final time against Benin on Tuesday at the same stadium.
That night, in front of almost 90,000 spectators who sold out the tickets in less than two hours, Messi will formally hand the armband to Romero.
‘There won’t be another like him'
Against Bolivia, Romero enjoyed a particularly special night at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium. As well as wearing the armband at the stadium in his home city, the Atlético Madrid defender scored Argentina’s third goal with a header.
“It was a special day. Ten years ago I made my debut here with Belgrano, and to come back as captain, having lived through the greatest era in our national team’s history, is something beautiful. I never would have imagined this. It is a huge responsibility, but I feel ready,” Romero told TyC Sports.
On the task of replacing the 39-year-old icon as captain, he said there “won’t be another” like Messi.
“We are going to miss Leo, our captain. He left us a huge legacy, but we have to carry on and take Argentina back to the top,” he said.
Romero began his professional career at Belgrano in Córdoba, one of the province’s most popular clubs, before moving to Serie A a couple of seasons later, where he played for Atalanta, Genoa and Juventus. The Turin club paid around 20 million euros for his transfer.
In 2021, the defender’s career took off when he joined English club Tottenham for 35 million euros, initially on loan. He made 157 appearances for the club and established himself as a Spurs leader, captaining them to the UEFA Europa League title last year.
New skipper
An undisputed member of the Scaloneta side that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and finished runners-up this year Romero joined Atléti this season for 40 million euros at the explicit request of Argentine coach Diego Simeone.
His career with the Albiceleste began with several call-ups to the youth teams before Scaloni handed him his senior debut in mid-2021. After only a handful of appearances, he played a key role in the team that won the 2021 Copa América against Brazil, beating the hosts 1-0 at the Maracanã to claim Argentina’s first major title in 28 years.
Romero has made 59 appearances for Argentina and scored five goals, all with his head, making him a key attacking threat from set pieces.
“He is a great footballer. When he is fit, he is one of the best defenders in the world, without a doubt. We always prefer to have him on the pitch because he gives us an extra dimension,” Scaloni said a few days ago, while acknowledging that Romero has suffered muscle and knee injuries throughout his career.
'Special lplayer'
Scaloni also described him as “a special player who has a good passing range” and made clear what he expects from his new captain.
“Sometimes he goes in a little too hard and he has to correct that, because now he is the captain of the national team and he will become part of its history. His behaviour has to be exemplary and I think he will understand that,” the coach said.
Scaloni confirmed Romero as captain following the international retirements of Messi and defender Nicolás Otamendi.
Goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez and Lautaro Martínez will serve as vice-captains in the Córdoba-born defender’s absence.
On Tuesday, Argentina’s 2022 world champions will join Messi for his final farewell to the national team.
He is Argentina’s most decorated player, their all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and their most-capped player with 207 appearances.
Some act to follow.
