Tottenham Hotspur’s defender Cristian Romero has been receiving significant praise after his performance in Argentina’s 4-1 victory over Brazil in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. The 26-year-old, who is known for his commanding presence on the field, played alongside former Manchester City player Nicolas Otamendi in the heart of Argentina’s defense. Despite a minor mishap that allowed Brazil to score, Romero’s overall performance was deemed impressive by many, with local media even referring to him as potentially the best center-back in the world.
The incident that led to Brazil’s goal occurred in the 26th minute when Romero, under pressure from Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, was caught in possession after holding the ball too long. The Brazilian player capitalized on this error and scored, narrowing Argentina’s lead to 2-1. However, Romero quickly recovered from the mistake and played a crucial role in helping his team maintain control of the game, which ultimately ended in a dominant 4-1 win for Argentina.
While the mistake was a blot on an otherwise stellar performance, Romero’s ability to bounce back was a testament to his resilience. Argentine media outlets were quick to praise him for his overall display. La Voz gave Romero a solid 9/10 rating, acknowledging the error but also emphasizing his strong recovery. “He was having an impressive game, but he got overconfident and gave away a ball early on that made it 2-1. Still, he came back with all his personality. Great game,” they noted.
Another Argentine outlet, Clarin, echoed similar sentiments, calling his performance “phenomenal” and suggesting that he may be one of the best central defenders in the world. Despite the error, Clarin emphasized Romero’s ability to anticipate plays and initiate attacks, which helped Argentina gain control of the match. “El Cuti must be regretting that gross error on Cunha’s goal because, apart from that play, he had a phenomenal game, anticipating and initiating several plays. He may be the best first-choice centre-back in the world,” they said, underscoring the defender’s overall class and skill.
BolaVip, a third outlet, was more critical of Romero’s performance, handing him a 6/10 rating for his error that led to Brazil’s goal. “He made a gross error that led to Matheus Cunha’s goal, but he managed to recover and win convincingly in the individual duels,” they wrote, giving credit to Romero for his ability to recover after the mistake and dominate in one-on-one situations.
Despite the praise for his international performances, Romero’s club season with Tottenham has been somewhat uneven. The defender has struggled with injuries throughout the 2024/25 campaign, which have limited his appearances to just 17 matches across all competitions. After missing over three months of action, Romero made his return earlier this month, but his injury setbacks have made it difficult for him to establish consistency in the Premier League.
In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Romero has played 14 matches, scored one goal, and provided two goal-creating actions in over 1,100 minutes of action. His performances for Spurs have been solid but not extraordinary, as the team has faced difficulties in securing positive results. Romero was also handed the captain’s armband in Tottenham’s last two Premier League matches, but even his leadership could not prevent the team from extending their losing streak, which has now reached three games.
Despite his club struggles, Romero’s form with the Argentina national team continues to stand out. His ability to perform at the highest level, even under pressure, has led to continued praise from fans and pundits alike. His defensive prowess, leadership, and ability to recover from mistakes make him a key figure in both his club and national team.
At Tottenham, Romero’s role in the team has been under scrutiny, particularly as the club has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form. Spurs’ manager, Ange Postecoglou, has yet to fully unlock the potential of his squad, and the team’s defensive frailties have been a major concern throughout the season. Romero’s performances in the Premier League, while generally solid, have been overshadowed by Tottenham’s ongoing struggles. Despite this, his leadership qualities and defensive skills remain valuable assets for the team as they look to turn around their season.
In terms of his individual stats for Tottenham, Romero’s contributions have been modest but important. With one goal and two goal-creating actions to his name, he has demonstrated that he can contribute to his team’s offensive play, but his primary role remains as a central defender. His performances have been more notable for his defensive work, with his ability to read the game, win duels, and disrupt opposition attacks often being the key highlights of his play.
Romero’s leadership, however, has not been enough to prevent the team from experiencing a tough run of form in the Premier League. Under Postecoglou’s management, Tottenham has had a difficult time finding consistency, and the defense has been a major area of concern. While Romero has been a reliable figure at the back, the team as a whole has struggled to put together strong performances, particularly in the absence of key players and with several injuries to contend with.
With the summer transfer window approaching, Tottenham’s focus may turn to reinforcing their squad, with rumors circulating that the club could be looking to make several additions to bolster their defense and overall depth. While Romero’s future at the club is not in doubt, there may be greater expectations for him to lead the team more effectively in the coming seasons. As one of the most highly regarded defenders in the Premier League, Romero will be expected to step up and deliver more consistent performances, both domestically and internationally, as Spurs aim to challenge for higher positions in the table.
In summary, Cristian Romero’s performance for Argentina against Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers highlighted his abilities as one of the top central defenders in the world. Despite a costly error that allowed Brazil to score, Romero’s resilience and overall display earned him praise from the media, with some even suggesting that he could be the best center-back in the world. While his club form at Tottenham has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent team performances, Romero remains a key player for both club and country. His leadership, defensive skills, and ability to recover from setbacks make him a vital asset, and he will be looking to build on his international success as he aims for greater consistency in the Premier League. As the season progresses and Tottenham seeks to improve, Romero’s performances will continue to be a crucial factor in the team’s fortunes.
