Angel Di Maria is confident that Cristian Romero will excel as the next captain of Argentina, especially with Lionel Messi’s last match for the national team on the horizon.
Both Di Maria and Romero were part of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad, where Di Maria netted the second goal in an epic final against France, leading to a penalty shoot-out triumph for Lionel Scaloni’s team.
Scaloni has announced Romero as the new captain, with Argentina scheduled to face Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin in friendly matches during this international window.
Messi is expected to participate only in the final game against Benin, marking his farewell from international play, while Romero will lead the team in the first two matches.
“He deserves it. I believe Scaloni and the coaching staff made an excellent choice,” Di Maria said in an interview with Sports Center regarding Romero’s captaincy.
“He deserves this role because he’s a remarkable person. He possesses the right temperament for the position, and I have no doubt he will do well.”
#SelecciónMayor Otro día de trabajos en Ezeiza
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Romero has earned 58 caps for Argentina, securing two Copa America titles along with his World Cup medal.
The defender from Atletico Madrid played a crucial role in Argentina’s journey to the 2026 World Cup final, despite suffering an injury in the match against Spain.
During the tournament, Romero led Argentina’s defenders with the most tackles (10), the highest number of interceptions (10), the second-most duels won (33), and the second-most clearances (26).
Scaloni has also listed Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Lautaro Martinez as alternatives for captain in case Romero is unavailable.
Fan Take: For soccer fans, the transition of leadership from Messi to Romero signifies a new chapter for Argentina, spotlighting the rise of a new generation in the national team. This change could establish a lasting legacy and impact not only Argentina’s future performance but also the dynamics of international soccer as they prepare for upcoming tournaments.
Source: www.soccernews.com
