As Cristian Romero prepared to collect a pass just 10 yards from his own goal, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon spotted an opportunity to pounce. The center-back’s body shape was awkward after he backpedaled to receive the ball, facing the left touchline as the two opponents closed in rapidly. He would have only a split second to control a bouncing ball, redirect his weight, and locate a passing outlet through the quickly narrowing gap between the England pair.
Easy to say, harder to execute on any given day, but this particular Wednesday was different. First contact: ball brought under control. Second: a right-footed push to his left side. Third: left foot, calmly sliding the ball to the waiting Nahuel Molina.
Barely a minute later, Romero was shown a yellow card for a tactical bear hug on Bellingham. A minor issue; the real, immediate danger had already been dealt with.
That moment encapsulated the two sides of the player they tried to strip of possession. This was not Cristian Romero, the error-prone captain of a historically poor Tottenham side. This was Cristian Romero, the unpredictable yet often reliable pillar of Argentina’s backline.
At Tottenham, he guided a squad known for notoriously poor passing through a second successive relegation battle. He is among the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League for his defensive honesty, collecting yellow cards as if they were handbills for a moody nightclub.
As the season ground on, his habit of leaving a little extra in challenges became more of a squad selection dilemma for whoever was in charge of Spurs that weekend, rather than a spark for his listless teammates.
With Spurs repeatedly collapsing after conceding first, Romero grew increasingly disheartened. In April, a campaign-ending injury reduced him to tears – not only the culmination of a uniquely frustrating season, but a real threat to his World Cup participation. So he looked for comfort in a familiar place.
He faced criticism for initially planning to skip Tottenham’s final game, intending to visit his boyhood club Belgrano for a match against River Plate. Sensing the public backlash, Romero returned to London and watched from the stands as Spurs secured their Premier League status, before joining the post-match exhale. Job done, Romero went back to Argentina, the far happier alternative to his daily grind, and completed his recovery in time for the World Cup.
As with most of La Albiceleste, donning the white-and-blue shirt transforms Romero into one of eleven passionate souls who cover every blade of grass and show every stud for the cause. Partnered with Lisandro Martínez, he is the relatively tougher presence, often the last barrier between an attacker and Emiliano Martínez. Aside from Lionel Messi and the Aston Villa goalkeeper, Romero has arguably been Argentina’s most steady performer on their path to a third World Cup final in four tournaments.
Cristian Romero, together with Lionel Messi and Emi Martínez, has been one of Argentina’s most reliable performers in this World Cup. Photograph: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Compared to his duties at Tottenham last season, Romero is slightly more involved in connecting Argentina’s defense to midfield when they have the ball. The more stable framework around him curbs his urge to abandon his position and get drawn into needless fouls, a trap Spurs’ opponents repeatedly sprung on him last season. He also relishes being one of Messi’s most trusted targets for attacking headers. Argentina’s dramatic escape against Egypt started when Romero took on his secondary role for club and country: a makeshift target forward who darts parallel to his striker when chasing a goal. Egypt were unprepared for this in the 79th minute, as he slipped into space between Ramy Rabia and Yasser Ibrahim to thump home a looping cross from Messi and ignite the comeback.
Whatever is needed for the task at hand, Romero will fully embrace the role. On Sunday, that means being aware of Mikel Oyarzabal’s agile movement and not letting Spain’s array of skilful dribblers tempt him into unnecessary fouls. Argentina will need to test Spain’s resolve, as few teams have truly tried to outmuscle the finalists since Cape Verde’s surprising draw in the group stage. That might sound like too big an ask for the Tottenham version of Cristian Romero, but that is not who you are watching at this World Cup. Argentina’s Cristian Romero knows better – if only just.
Time will tell whether he receives a warm reception when he rejoins Spurs, though he is unlikely to be troubled by potential boos. Supporters may be more inclined to praise Djed Spence for his energetic display against Argentina than Romero, who was caught shouting at a puzzled Bellingham after the final whistle in Atlanta.
By then he was fully immersed in his other identity, a vital part of a team that will fiercely protect Messi’s honor – with Bellingham having stirred extra motivation in Messi shortly after kickoff – until the day he retires. His day job, captaining a storied but imperfect club in London, can wait for one more week.
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