Cristian Romero began his career at Belgrano in Córdoba before moving to Italy with Genoa in 2018. Juventus signed him a year later but loaned him to Atalanta, where he was named Serie A’s best defender in 2020/21.
Tottenham Hotspur signed him in 2021, and he became their most important defender and, later, club captain. He lifted the Europa League in 2025, Tottenham’s first major trophy in 17 years, after a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the final.
For Argentina, Romero was a first-choice centre-back as they won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Américas. In summer 2026 he joined Atlético Madrid, where his aggressive, front-foot style suits Diego Simeone’s approach.
Playing style
Romero is an aggressive, front-foot defender who likes to step out and win the ball high up the pitch. He is strong in the tackle and the air, and his anticipation allows him to intercept passes before forwards receive them. His aggression sometimes brings yellow cards, but it also makes him intimidating to play against. With the ball he is comfortable and willing to carry it forward. He is also a vocal leader who organises the players around him.
International career
Romero made his Argentina debut in 2021 and quickly became a starter. He won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, where he started the final against France, and the 2024 Copa América. He is regarded as one of the leaders of Argentina’s defence.
Career in numbers
Across 11 seasons of senior club football, beginning in 2016/17, Romero has played 282 matches and scored 19 goals for 5 clubs. His most productive season in front of goal was 2025/26, when he scored 6 times in 32 games for Tottenham Hotspur. His busiest campaign was 2020/21, with 42 appearances. So far in 2026/27 he has made 5 appearances for Atlético Madrid. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.