Angel Di Maria Backs Cristian Romero as Argentina’s Next Captain Ahead of Messi’s Farewell
Angel Di Maria has voiced his support for Cristian Romero after the defender was confirmed as the next permanent captain of Argentina. This transition follows the announcement that Lionel Messi will play his final international match against Benin on October 6, marking the end of an era and the start of new leadership under coach Lionel Scaloni.
Scaloni Names Romero as Successor
Coach Lionel Scaloni officially declared Romero, the 28-year-old centre-back from Atletico Madrid, as the future captain once Messi steps down. Previously, Romero served as the third captain behind Messi and Nicolas Otamendi. He has experience wearing the armband in matches where senior players were absent, including games against Chile, Venezuela, and Mauritania.
Di Maria Praises Leadership Qualities
Speaking on SportsCenter, Di Maria expressed full confidence in Romero's ability to lead the team. He said,
"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."
Di Maria also encouraged fans to continue supporting the national team through this new phase, adding,
"I'm happy that people continue to support the national team because they will surely continue to bring us joy."
Clear Captaincy Hierarchy Set by Scaloni
Scaloni moved quickly to establish a clear leadership order to maintain the team's winning spirit. Speaking to TyC Sports, he outlined the captaincy roles:
- Captain: Cristian "Cuti" Romero
- Vice-captains: Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul (absent for upcoming matches), Lautaro Martinez
Scaloni emphasized, "Cuti is the right one" to take on the captaincy role.
Upcoming Matches and Passing the Torch
The Argentina squad will face Bolivia and Burkina Faso before Messi’s farewell game against Benin. The match against Benin will be an emotional moment, symbolizing the handover as Romero officially assumes captain duties on the field. This shift presents a challenge for Romero to maintain high standards and unify the team without Messi’s presence.
