Cristian 'Cuti' Romero: World and America Champion defender
2023-04-27
Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero became a defensive pillar in the Argentinian national team. An exceptional defender, who established himself in his country in record time, winning titles that anyone would dream of with the Albiceleste jersey.
Romero was born on April 27, 1998, in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, and turns 25 in 2023.
Romero’s first cap for the national team came during the 2021 South American Qualifiers, when he emerged ‘out of nowhere’ as a big surprise for the Argentines.
Coach Lionel Scaloni trusted the young defender and fielded him alongside Nicolás Otamendi to create the centre-back duo that gave Argentina their most important titles in recent years.
In the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América in Brazil, ‘Cuti’ was not at his physical best, but that did not prevent him from playing two Group Stage matches, against Uruguay and Paraguay.
Despite missing the quarter-finals and semis with a knee injury, Romero made a great effort to make it to the Argentinian line-up that faced Brazil for the title in Maracanã.
Romero would not miss the most crucial game of the tournament. He played almost 80 minutes of the match in which Argentina won the CONMEBOL Copa América after 28 years, a title that sparked the enthusiasm of the Argentines for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
‘Cuti’ also lifted the Finalissima trophy, playing as a starter in Argentina’s 3-0 victory against Italy to win the first edition of the tournament that pits the American champion against the European champion.
Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero’s final consecration with Argentina came with his spectacular performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, when he proved to be one of the key players in the team that lifted the cup after 36 years.