Angel Di Maria Supports Cristian Romero as Argentina's New Captain Following Lionel Messi's Farewell
Angel Di Maria has shown full support for Cristian Romero stepping up as Argentina's captain after Lionel Messi prepares to play his farewell match against Benin on October 6. This marks a pivotal moment as Argentina shifts leadership following the legendary forward's retirement from international football.
Scaloni Names Romero Next Permanent Captain
Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that the 28-year-old Atletico Madrid defender will become the permanent captain once Messi ends his international career. Previously, Romero was third in the leadership hierarchy behind Messi and Nicolas Otamendi. He has experience wearing the armband during matches against Chile and friendlies with Venezuela and Mauritania when senior players were absent.
Di Maria Praises Romero's Leadership Qualities
"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," said Di Maria during a SportsCenter interview.
The former winger also encouraged fans to continue supporting the national team, confident that the squad will keep bringing joy to supporters.
Scaloni Clarifies Captaincy Hierarchy
To ensure a smooth transition and maintain the team’s winning mindset, Scaloni outlined the captaincy order ahead of upcoming matches in an interview with TyC Sports:
- Captain: Cristian Romero ("Cuti")
- Vice-captains include: Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul (absent for next games), Lautaro Martinez
Scaloni emphasized Romero as the right choice to lead the team moving forward.
Upcoming Matches Mark a Historic Transition
Before Messi’s final appearance against Benin, Argentina will face Bolivia and Burkina Faso. The game versus Benin will be an emotional moment for the team, symbolizing the passing of leadership to Romero. Now, the defender faces the challenge of maintaining high standards and uniting the squad without their iconic captain on the pitch.
