Scaloni Names Romero Successor to the Armband
Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero will take over the Argentina national team captaincy from Lionel Messi. Argentina head manager Lionel Scaloni announced the leadership change on September 25.
The decision sets up the center-back to lead the squad through an upcoming three-match friendly series.
Farewell Fixtures and a Rapidly Approaching Transition
The leadership transition arrives as Argentina prepares for a series of friendlies beginning September 30 against Bolivia in Córdoba.
La Albiceleste will subsequently face Burkina Faso on October 3 in Buenos Aires. That match will be followed by a fixture against Benin at the same venue on October 6.
The match against Benin serves as the official international farewell match for Messi. The legendary forward announced his retirement from the national team via social media on August 31.
Stepping Up After the Departure of Veterans
Scaloni confirmed the succession plan when addressing reporters regarding the team’s leadership vacuum ahead of Messi’s departure.
Romero already served as the squad’s third captain behind Messi and veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi. Otamendi has also announced his intention to retire from international competition immediately following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Romero will take it over,” Scaloni stated regarding the captain’s armband. “He was already the third captain of the team behind Messi and Nicolás Otamendi.”
Scaloni added that other senior players like Emiliano Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Lautaro Martínez are also capable of wearing the armband. Even so, he designated Romero as the immediate choice for the role.
A Proven Career on the International and Club Stage
Romero has earned 58 international caps for Argentina.
He played a central role in their 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar and their runners-up finish at the subsequent tournament.
The center-back began his professional career with Belgrano in Argentina in 2016. He then moved to Italian club Genoa in 2018 to begin his career in European football.
From there, he spent time playing alongside Son Heung-min at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League before completing a transfer to Atlético Madrid in Spain.
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