In Córdoba, where his senior journey began at Belgrano a decade ago, Cristian Romero wore Argentina’s armband for the first time and marked the occasion with a goal as the world champions swept Bolivia aside 4-0 in a friendly. The Atlético de Madrid centre-back captained his country in his home city, played 56 minutes and headed Argentina’s third shortly after the interval.
A homecoming with the captain’s armband
Romero’s return to Córdoba carried more than the usual weight of an international friendly. The defender had begun his career at Belgrano before building a résumé with Argentina that includes the game’s biggest prizes, and his first outing as captain added another landmark to that route.
After the match, Romero reflected on the personal significance of the evening.
“It is a day I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” he said. “I never imagined that I would start at Belgrano and return 10 years later having won everything with the national team.”
The 26-year-old explained that Lionel Scaloni had previously informed him that he would become Argentina’s third captain. Romero said Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi had selected him for the responsibility.
- Romero made his first appearance as Argentina’s main captain.
- He started the match and was substituted after 56 minutes.
- His header made it 3-0 early in the second half.
- The match took place in the defender’s native city of Córdoba.
Argentina’s four-goal evening
Bolivia were already under pressure before Romero’s second-half contribution. Lautaro Martínez and Nico Paz scored before the break to put Argentina in control, before the new captain’s headed finish widened the margin.
Flaco López supplied the final goal in the 86th minute, completing a four-goal result for Scaloni’s side.
Messi’s absence and Scaloni’s message
Romero also spoke about Messi’s departure from the squad, describing the former captain as the team’s standard-bearer. “We are going to miss Leo a great deal,” Romero said. “He is our flag, and there will not be another like him.”
Scaloni used his post-match comments to underline both Romero’s footballing stature and the standards required from a national-team captain.
- The Argentina coach called Romero one of the finest central defenders in world football when fully fit.
- Scaloni said the defender had not recently been at full fitness, including during the World Cup.
- He stressed that Argentina prefer to have Romero available because of the extra quality he brings, particularly in possession.
- The coach identified Romero’s occasional overcommitted challenges as an area for improvement.
- With the armband now part of his role, Scaloni said Romero’s conduct must set an example and expressed confidence that he understands that duty.
“He is a special player for me and he passes the ball well,” Scaloni said. “Now he is not only an excellent footballer; he is Argentina’s captain and will be part of its history.”
Other Córdoba connections
Julián Álvarez, another player from Córdoba province, completed the full 90 minutes. The forward, who comes from Calchín, returned to his province as an established international figure, although he was not involved in any of Argentina’s four goals.
Juan Musso and Giuliano remained among the substitutes and did not take the field.
