Cristian Romero is the new captain of the Argentina national team. Manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed the appointment of the 28-year-old defender during a press conference at the Ezeiza training facility.
Scaloni explained the decision as a natural progression, noting that Romero was already the third captain behind Messi and Nicolás Otamendi. "The captain will be Cuti. He was already the third captain after Leo and Ota. Cuti is the right one," the manager said. The leadership change comes as the team maintains strong form, sitting top of their World Cup qualifying group with a perfect nine points from three wins.
A seasoned successor
Romero, nicknamed 'Cuti', is no stranger to the role. The Atlético de Madrid centre-back had already worn the armband in three official matches: against Chile in World Cup qualifying, versus Venezuela in a friendly, and in the 2-1 win over Mauritania last March. With over 50 caps for Argentina, his experience within the squad is extensive. Scaloni also outlined the hierarchy behind the defender. "There is Emiliano (Martínez), who can also wear the armband." he stated, mapping out a leadership group for the future.
The team now prepares for a friendly against Bolivia on September 30, an opponent they thrashed 6-0 in their last meeting in October 2024. This match will be Romero's first as official captain and serves as preparation for October fixtures against Burkina Faso and Benin. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
The competitive context is positive. Argentina leads the qualifying standings with a five-point cushion over Austria, having scored eight goals and conceded just one in the process. Although their last outing was a defeat to Spain in July, the team shows strong recent form with four wins in their last five matches. The transition is steering a project that remains at the summit, with detailed data available in the team's stats. The next chapter begins with Romero in command on the pitch.
The original report is at marca usa
