Cristian Romero named new Argentina captain after Messi retirement

Cristian Romero has been named the new captain of the Argentina national football team following the international retirement of Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi. The decision was made by head coach Lionel Scaloni, who had previously designated the 28-year-old Atlético de Madrid defender as the third captain in the hierarchy prior to the 2026 World Cup.

Romero, who has earned 58 caps for the national team, was selected for the role over other veteran players including Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez and Nicolás Tagliafico. He has previously worn the captain's armband on three occasions during his career under Scaloni, including matches against Chile, Venezuela, and Mauritania.

The transition marks the beginning of a new era for the ‘Albiceleste’ as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) prepares for upcoming FIFA international windows in September and October. The AFA is currently organizing friendly matches to be held in Argentina, with potential opponents including Burkina Faso and Benin. These matches will serve as the first official fixtures for the squad in the post-Messi era.