Messi to Romero: Argentina’s Captaincy Enters a New Chapter
The head coach of Argentina football team Lionel Scaloni confirmed Romero is going to be the captain during a press conference at the AFA training centre on September 24. Scaloni said, “The captain will be Cuti,” which makes it clear that Christiano Romero who is renowned as Cuti will inherit the armband from Messi.
XtraTime Webdesk: The era of Lionel Messi is coming to an end, and a new voice is ready to lead Argentina from the front; the new captain of Argentina is none other than Christiano Romero. The 28-year-old defender is already a senior figure in the squad will now lead the Argentine football team as the team begins its transition into the post-Messi era.
The head coach of Argentina football team Lionel Scaloni confirmed Romero is going to be the captain during a press conference at the AFA training centre on September 24. Scaloni said, “The captain will be Cuti,” which makes it clear that Christiano Romero who is renowned as Cuti will inherit the armband from Messi.
Scaloni explained that Romero was always the third choice as captain after Messi and Nicolás Otamendi. Scaloni has also pointed out that Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Lautaro Martínez are also capable to lead the team. However, he especially said Romero is the appropriate choice to be the captain.
Romero also has experienced captaincy previously, as he captained the Argentine team in three matches against Chile, Venezuela, and Mauritania. For the first time he captained against Chile in 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory in 2025. For the second time he took the lead of the Argentine team in a friendly match against Venezuela, in October 2025. Romero also led Argentina in their 2-1 victory over Mauritania ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Although Messi has announced his international retirement, he has been included in the Argentine squad for the upcoming friendlies so that he can receive an official farewell in front of the home crowd. Messi is expected to play his final international match against Benin on October 6 at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium. Scaloni said he wanted Messi to receive the farewell he deserves.
The 28-year-old centre-back has become an important part of Scaloni’s Argentina side and is now expected to provide leadership from the back. As Messi’s remarkable chapter moves towards its final farewell, Romero now faces the challenge of leading a team entering a new era. The armband carries the weight of a historic legacy, but for the Argentine defender, it also marks the beginning of a fresh chapter, one he will now have to write on the pitch.
