Angel Di Maria Supports Cristian Romero as Argentina’s New Captain Ahead of Messi’s Farewell
Angel Di Maria has expressed strong support for Cristian Romero after the defender was named Argentina's next permanent captain. This significant change comes as Lionel Messi prepares for his final international appearance on October 6 against Benin, marking a new leadership era under coach Lionel Scaloni.
Scaloni Names Romero as Permanent Captain
Coach Scaloni officially confirmed that 28-year-old Atletico Madrid centre-back Cristian Romero will take over the captaincy once Messi retires from international football. Romero had been third in the leadership hierarchy behind Messi and Nicolas Otamendi and has previously worn the armband during matches against Chile, Venezuela, and Mauritania when senior players were absent.
Di Maria Praises Romero’s Qualities
Speaking on SportsCenter, Di Maria praised the decision to hand Romero the captaincy, saying:
He deserves it. I think it’s a great choice by Scaloni and the coaching staff. He deserves it because he’s a great guy. He has a great temperament to carry the armband and I’m sure he’ll do a great job.
He also urged fans to keep supporting the national team, confident that the squad will continue to bring joy.
Clear Leadership Structure Outlined by Scaloni
Scaloni acted quickly to ensure a smooth transition in leadership while maintaining the team's winning spirit. Discussing the captaincy order with TyC Sports, he explained:
- Captain: Cuti (Romero)
- Previous Captains: Leo (Messi), Ota (Otamendi)
- Other potential captains: Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul (not available for upcoming games), Lautaro Martinez
Scaloni emphasized that Romero is the right choice to lead moving forward.
Argentina Prepares for a Historic Transition
The team will face Bolivia and Burkina Faso before Messi’s farewell match versus Benin. This final game will symbolize the official passing of the captain’s armband to Romero. The defender now faces the challenge of sustaining high performance standards and uniting the squad without the iconic presence of Messi.
