In the realm of football, Lionel Messi’s words carry immense weight. Recently, the Argentine superstar hailed his compatriot and Tottenham Hotspur player, Cristian Romero, as the “best defender in the world right now.” Messi’s praise set the football world abuzz, and Tottenham’s head coach, Ange Postecoglou, has now weighed in on this lofty accolade.
Postecoglou, in response to Messi’s claim, gracefully acknowledged, “I wouldn’t argue with Messi.” He went on to emphasize that facing Romero on the pitch would be no easy feat, stating, “I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t like to play against him [Romero]. Most of the boys don’t like to train against him. He’s a real competitor, and I love that about him. Whether it’s training or a game, what you see is what you get with Romero.”
Romero’s journey to Tottenham began with an initial loan move from Serie A side Atalanta in August 2021, eventually culminating in a permanent transfer a year later. Since donning the Lilywhites’ jersey, Romero has featured in over 60 games across various competitions. However, it’s fair to say that the past Premier League season was a challenging one for the 25-year-old center-back and his team. Tottenham secured an eighth-placed finish in the 2022-23 Premier League, and Romero faced criticism for his performances under different managers, including Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini, and Ryan Mason.
Yet, Romero’s international football journey has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2021, he played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to Copa America glory. Moreover, he was an essential cog in the Argentine squad that clinched the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year. Romero is currently deeply involved in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, where his defensive prowess shines brightly. In their first 2026 World Cup qualifying fixture, he played a crucial role in helping La Albiceleste secure a clean sheet against Ecuador, with Messi scoring the solitary goal in the 78th minute.
Messi didn’t hold back in showering praise on Romero after the match, declaring, “I think he [Romero] is the best defender in the world right now. He played very well and, in my opinion, he was the man of the match. Having him behind me is the best thing that can happen to me. He always forces me to go forward because he always wants to play one-on-one against his opponent. I have gotten used to not looking back, and that is very good for an attacking player,” said the Inter Miami star to ‘Telemundo.’
Romero has earned 25 caps for Argentina to date and continued to excel in their second World Cup qualifying encounter against Bolivia. Even in Messi’s absence from the lineup, the defending World Cup champions cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory, with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Nico Gonzalez.
As Messi’s endorsement continues to echo throughout the footballing world, it’s undeniable that Cristian Romero has firmly established himself as a defensive titan, both at the club and international levels. His relentless competitiveness and unwavering commitment make him a force to be reckoned with, and Messi’s words only serve to underscore his brilliance.https://www.sportiwe.com/
