Tottenham captain Cristian Romero absent for relegation decider
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero (28) travelled to Argentina in May to train with his boyhood club Belgrano, missing the club’s final Premier League fixture against Everton. The match on 22 May is a relegation showdown; Spurs sit 17th with 38 points, two ahead of West Ham, and a loss could relegate them for the first time in 49 years. Romero has been sidelined by a knee injury since a defeat at Sunderland and has not featured in the last five games.
His absence sparked outrage among supporters, who labelled him an “embarrassment” and accused him of “not giving a f***”. Social‑media accounts criticised his decision to be in Argentina rather than support teammates in what many call the biggest league game in recent Spurs history. Manager Roberto De Zerbi praised Romero as a “great captain” but acknowledged the injury’s impact on the squad.
The episode has fueled speculation about Romero’s future at Tottenham, with links to a possible move to Atlético Madrid. Fans fear his choice could signal a loss of commitment ahead of a crucial match that will determine the club’s top‑flight status.