Cristian Romero (Argentine footballer) explained

Cristian Romero
Full Name:Cristian Gabriel Romero[1]
Birth Date:27 April 1998
Birth Place:Córdoba, Argentina
Height:1.85 m[2]
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Tottenham Hotspur
Clubnumber:17
Youthyears1:2014–2016
Youthclubs1:Belgrano
Years1:2016–2018
Clubs1:Belgrano
Caps1:16
Goals1:0
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Genoa
Caps2:27
Goals2:2
Years3:2019–2021
Clubs3:Juventus
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2019–2020
Clubs4:Genoa (loan)
Caps4:30
Goals4:1
Years5:2020–2021
Clubs5:Atalanta (loan)
Caps5:31
Goals5:2
Years6:2021–2022
Clubs6:Atalanta
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Years7:2021–2022
Clubs7:Tottenham Hotspur (loan)
Caps7:22
Goals7:1
Years8:2022–
Clubs8:Tottenham Hotspur
Caps8:61
Goals8:5
Nationalyears1:2017
Nationalteam1:Argentina U20
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2021–
Nationalteam2:Argentina
Nationalcaps2:36
Nationalgoals2:3
Club-Update:23:25, 19 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:14 July 2024

Cristian Gabriel "Cuti" Romero (born 27 April 1998)[3] is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Tottenham Hotspur and the Argentina national team.

Coming through the youth system, Romero began his senior career in 2016 at Belgrano. He moved to Italy in 2018, playing for Genoa. Romero was purchased by Juventus the following season; he was sent back on loan to Genoa, before being sent on loan to Atalanta in 2020. After being nominated Serie A Best Defender in 2020–21 with Atalanta, the club exercised the option of purchase before promptly loaning Romero to Tottenham with an obligation to buy. After a successful loan spell, Romero was signed by Tottenham in 2022.

Romero represented Argentina at youth level at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship. He made his senior debut in 2021, and was a key member of the squads that won the 2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa América.

Club career

Belgrano

Having joined the youth team in 2014,[4] Romero was promoted to Argentine Primera División side Belgrano's first team in 2016;[5] his debut came on 28 August, in a league match with Independiente. One month later, Romero played in both of Belgrano's 2016 Copa Sudamericana round of 16 draws against Coritiba. In two seasons with Belgrano's first-team, he made nineteen appearances in all competitions.

Serie A

In July 2018, Romero joined Genoa of Serie A.[6] He scored his first senior goal in his second Genoa match, netting in a 2–2 draw with Udinese on 28 October, only to be sent off later. On 9 July 2019, Juventus announced Romero was having a medical ahead of a requested transfer.[7]

On 12 July 2019, Juventus announced the permanent acquisition of Romero from Genoa for €26 million, with the player remaining at his former club on loan for the rest of the season.[8]

On 5 September 2020, Romero joined Atalanta on loan until 30 June 2022 with an option to buy.[9] He was elected the best defender of the 2020–21 Serie A season.

Tottenham Hotspur

On 6 August 2021, Juventus announced that Atalanta had activated the option to sign Romero for €16 million.[10] Later that day, Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur announced his signing from Atalanta on an initial season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent.[11] [12]

Romero debuted for the club on 15 August, coming on as a late substitute for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in a match against Manchester City that Tottenham won 1–0.[13] On 19 August 2021, he made his first start in the UEFA Europa Conference League first leg tie against Paços de Ferreira, which ended in a 1–0 defeat.[14] Romero scored his first goal for Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. On 30 August 2022, he signed for Tottenham Hotspur permanently with a contract lasting until 2027.[15]

Ahead of the 2023–24 Premier League season, Romero was named as one of Tottenham's vice-captains.[16] He made a strong start to the season, being described by manager Ange Postecoglou as the “rock” in Tottenham's defence, and earning a nomination for the Player of the Month award in October.[17] [18] However, on 6 November 2023, Romero was shown a straight red card during Tottenham's 4–1 loss to rivals Chelsea.[19] It was his fourth red card since moving to the Premier League, more than any other player in that time.[20] Romero scored on his return from suspension, Tottenham's only goal in a 2–1 loss to West Ham United.[21]

International career

Youth

Romero has represented Argentina at U20 level, winning seven caps at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship in Ecuador. In April 2017, he was called up for Argentina's training camp ahead of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea but was not selected on the tournament squad list.[22] Romero was called up for the U23s in September 2019.[23]

Senior

On 3 June 2021, Romero debuted for the senior national team a World Cup qualifier against Chile, playing the full match.[24] In his second game for Argentina on 8 June, he scored his first international goal, coming from a thumping header against Colombia after only 130 seconds. This goal also broke the record for the fastest ever scored for Argentina in a professional match, surpassing Diego Maradona's goal after 168 seconds against Venezuela in 1985.[25]

In June 2021, Romero was included in Lionel Scaloni's final Argentina 28-man squad for the 2021 Copa América[26] and the Team of the Tournament at the end as Argentina won the competition.[27] Romero was also an integral part of the Argentinian team which won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in which he started in six out of seven matches including the final.[28]

In June 2024, Romero was included in Lionel Scaloni's final 26-man Argentina squad for the 2024 Copa América.[29]

Style of play

Romero has been described as a "proactive" defender always playing on the "front foot." This allows him to step up in the backline and make crucial interceptions in midfield. He is well known for his decision-making in his risky style of play. Romero is also known for his exceptional ability in the air and is adept at scoring headers in the box.[30]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Belgrano2016–17Argentine Primera División1300020150
2017–1830100040
Total1601020190
Genoa2018–19Serie A27200272
Genoa (loan)2019–2030130331
Total57330603
Atalanta (loan)2020–21Serie A3124071423
Tottenham Hotspur (loan)2021–22Premier League221202040301
Tottenham Hotspur2022–23270000070340
2023–243351000345
2024–251000000010
Total8363020110996
Career total187111102020122012

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Argentina2021101
202290
202391
202481
Total363

Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Romero goal.

No.!scope="col"
DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 8 June 2021 Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia 1–0 2–2 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 19 June 2023 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
3 22 March 2024 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States 1–0 3–0 Friendly

Honours

Argentina

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed . Premier League . 10 September 2021 . 12 September 2021 . 10 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210910161814/https://www.premierleague.com/news/2247219 . live .
  2. Web site: Cristian Romero. Atalanta B.C.. https://web.archive.org/web/20210119024040/https://www.atalanta.it/personaggi/cristian-romero/. 19 January 2021.
  3. Web site: Dawes . Olly . 17 December 2022 . Why is Cristian Romero called Cuti? Tottenham star's nickname explained . 17 September 2023 . HITC.
  4. Web site: 6 May 2019. Cristian Romero: la scheda tecnica. 10 August 2021. Jmania.it. it. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810200807/https://jmania.it/cristian-romero-scheda-tecnica/. live.
  5. News: Cristian Romero firmó su primer contrato. Club Atlético Belgrano. 27 May 2016. 15 April 2017. es. 20 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190420112124/https://www.belgranocordoba.com/noticia-belgrano/1684/. live.
  6. News: I nuovi stranieri della Serie A: Cristian Romero (Genoa). Spazio Calcio. 6 May 2024. it.
  7. News: Cristian Romero begins Juventus medical. Juventus. 9 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190709101414/https://www.juventus.com/en/news/news/2019/cristian-romero-begins-juventus-medical.php. 9 July 2019. dead.
  8. Web site: Romero, gli accordi con il Genoa. Juventus. 12 July 2019. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20190712183711/https://www.juventus.com/it/news/news/2019/romero--gli-accordi-con-il-genoa.php. 12 July 2019. dead.
  9. Web site: Ufficiale: Juve, ceduto Romero in prestito biennale con diritto di riscatto all'Atalanta . 5 September 2020 . Tutto Mercato Web . it . 5 September 2020 . 9 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210609165156/https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-juve-ceduto-romero-in-prestito-biennale-con-diritto-di-riscatto-all-atalanta-1428834 . live .
  10. Web site: Esercizio del Diritto di Opzione per Il Calciatore Cristian Romero. Juventus. 6 August 2021. it. 24 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231024043424/https://www.juventus.com/it/news/articoli/esercizio-del-diritto-di-opzione-per-il-calciatore-cristian-romero. live.
  11. Web site: Romero signs from Atalanta. Tottenham Hotspur. 6 August 2021. 6 August 2021. 24 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231024042924/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2021/august/romero-signs-from-atalanta/. live.
  12. Web site: Cristian Romero joins Tottenham Hotspur. Atalanta BC. 6 August 2021. 6 August 2021. 24 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231024041649/https://www.atalanta.it/en/news/cristian-romero-joins-tottenham-hotspur/. live.
  13. News: Simon. Burnton. Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City: Premier League, as it happened. The Guardian. 15 August 2021. 22 August 2021. 24 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231024042721/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/aug/15/tottenham-v-manchester-city-premier-league-live. live.
  14. News: Richard. Morgan. Pacos de Ferreira 1-0 Tottenham: Much-changed Spurs lose Europa Conference League play-off first-leg tie. Sky Sports. 20 August 2021. 22 August 2021. 24 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231024042904/https://www.skysports.com/football/pacos-ferreira-vs-tottenham-hotspur/457263. live.
  15. Web site: Romero completes permanent move. Tottenham Hotspur. 30 August 2022. 30 August 2022. 26 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230326210845/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2022/august/romero-completes-permanent-move/. live.
  16. News: Charlie. Eccleshare. Tottenham's new leadership group: Can they provide what is so badly needed?. The Athletic. 16 August 2023. 10 November 2023.
  17. Web site: Romero shortlisted for October's Premier League Player of the Month award. Tottenham Hotspur. 10 November 2023. 10 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110123309/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/november/romero-shortlisted-for-octobers-premier-league-player-of-the-month-award/. live.
  18. News: Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou praises Cristian Romero. BBC Sport. 4 November 2023. 10 November 2023. 10 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110123306/https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c974d98pj1jo. live.
  19. News: Tim. Spiers. Cristian Romero's 'red mist' has cost Spurs yet again, he simply has to learn. The Athletic. 8 November 2023. 10 November 2023. 10 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110123307/https://theathletic.com/5039060/2023/11/08/tottenham-romero-red-card-disciplinary/. live.
  20. News: Romero's red card turned the tide. The Athletic. 10 November 2023. 10 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110123307/https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/tottenham-chelsea-live-score-updates-result-premier-league/vOYPAJ7n7rXR/uxk7SlUe2ME6/. live.
  21. News: West Ham's Moyes celebrates "one of the biggest wins". BBC Sport. 8 December 2023. 7 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231207233705/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67574361. live.
  22. News: Lista para la semana que viene. 15 April 2017. Argentine Football Association. 15 April 2017. es. 16 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125423/http://afa.com.ar/7040/lista-para-la-semana-que-viene. live.
  23. News: La Selección Sub 23 jugará ante Bolivia desde las 19, en el estadio de Banfield. AFA. 3 September 2019. 4 September 2019. es. 19 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119141250/https://www.afa.com.ar/es/posts/la-seleccion-sub-23-enfrentara-a-bolivia-desde-las-19-en-el-estadio-de-banfield. live.
  24. News: Cristian Romero, la novedad que se ganó el puesto y ahora tendrá su debut mundialista en Qatar 2022. TyC Sports. 11 November 2022. es. 6 May 2024. 6 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240506134331/https://www.tycsports.com/seleccion-argentina/cristian-cuti-romero-seleccion-argentina-mundial-qatar-2022-id452652.html. live.
  25. Web site: Πέρασε τον Μαραντόνα και... έγραψε ιστορία ο Ρομέρο!. Romero surpassed Maradona... and made history!. Sport FM Greece. 9 June 2021. 9 June 2021. el. 9 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609130832/https://www.sport-fm.gr/article/podosfairo/prokrimatika%20mountial/romero-perase-ton-maradona-kai-egrapse-istoria/4183845. live.
  26. Web site: Argentina National Team Squad 2021 . Diario AS. 15 June 2021 . 11 July 2021. es. 29 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210629163051/https://en.as.com/en/2021/06/14/football/1623671691_620875.html . dead .
  27. News: Uno por uno, el equipo ideal de la CONMEBOL Copa América 2021 elegido por el GET. Copa América . 13 July 2021. 27 March 2022. es . 14 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210714034039/https://copaamerica.com/es/noticias/equipo-ideal-get-conmebol-copa-america-2021/ . dead .
  28. News: "I watch it every day!", Tottenham defender Romero admits he's still not over Argentina's World Cup final win over France. Goal. 5 February 2023. 8 August 2023. 10 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230214/https://www.goal.com/en/news/christian-romero-watches-world-cup-final-daily/blt53d70f31b7bee1f5. live.
  29. News: 15 June 2024 . Lionel Scaloni dio a conocer la lista de la Selección argentina para la Copa América 2024 . 23 July 2024 . Todo Noticias.
  30. News: Cristian Romero: Total Player Report. The Tactical Times. 16 February 2024. 16 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216175611/https://tactical-times.com/cristian-romero-total-player-report/. live.
  31. Web site: Murray . Scott . 18 December 2022 . Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction . 18 December 2022 . . 3 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103210651/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/dec/18/argentina-france-world-cup-2022-final-live . live .
  32. News: Bryan Armen. Graham. Argentina 1-0 Brazil: Copa América final – live!. The Guardian. 11 July 2021. 11 July 2021. 12 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210712135151/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jul/10/argentina-v-brazil-copa-america-final-live. live.
  33. News: Argentina defeats Colombia to Become The Champion of CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™. Copa América. 15 July 2024. 15 July 2024.
  34. News: Italy 0–3 Argentina: Messi and Di Maria shine in impressive Finalissima win. BBC Sport. 1 June 2022. 2 June 2022. 11 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220611042254/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61653337. live.
  35. News: The MVPs of the 2020/2021 Season: Cristian Romero Best Defender . Serie A. 31 May 2021 . 3 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210603050017/https://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/the-mvps-of-the-2020-2021-season-cristian-romero-best-defender . dead .
  36. News: Uno por uno, el equipo ideal de la CONMEBOL Copa América 2021 elegido por el GET. Copa América . 13 July 2021. 13 July 2021 . es . 14 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210714034039/https://copaamerica.com/es/noticias/equipo-ideal-get-conmebol-copa-america-2021/ . dead .
  37. News: The CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ Best XI . Copa América . 31 July 2024 . 31 July 2024.