Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has confirmed Cristian “Cuti” Romero as the new captain of the national team, following Lionel Messi’s impending retirement from international football.
Scaloni made the announcement ahead of Argentina’s upcoming international friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin, confirming that Romero will inherit the captain’s armband after Messi’s final appearance for the national side.
“The captain is going to be Cuti,” Scaloni said, explaining that the 28-year-old defender was already third in Argentina’s leadership hierarchy behind Messi and Nicolás Otamendi.
The coach also identified Emiliano Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martínez as players capable of wearing the armband when required, but said Romero was the appropriate choice to take over from Messi.
Romero is not new to the responsibility. The defender has previously captained Argentina on three occasions when the team’s senior leaders were unavailable.
Messi is expected to receive an official farewell during Argentina’s friendly against Benin on October 6, bringing his international career with the national team to a close. FIFA has also confirmed that the Argentine Football Association invited Messi for the farewell fixture.
The appointment of Romero signals a change in Argentina’s leadership structure as the team moves into the post-Messi era.
