Angel Di Maria Supports Cristian Romero as Argentina's New Captain Following Messi's Farewell

Angel Di Maria has expressed strong support for Cristian Romero after the defender was named the permanent captain of Argentina. This leadership change comes as Lionel Messi prepares to play his final international match against Benin on October 6, marking a new chapter for the national team under coach Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni Names Romero Permanent Captain

The 28-year-old centre-back from Atletico Madrid has been promoted to lead the team following Messi’s retirement from international football. Before this, Romero served as the third captain behind Messi and Nicolas Otamendi. He has experience wearing the armband during games when senior players were absent, including matches against Chile, Venezuela, and Mauritania.

Di Maria Praises Romero’s Leadership Qualities

During an appearance on SportsCenter, Di Maria praised Romero’s temperament and character, saying:

"He deserves it. I think it’s a great choice by Scaloni and the coaching staff. He’s a great guy with the right attitude to carry the armband. I’m sure he’ll do a fantastic job."

The former winger also encouraged fans to continue supporting the team, confident that the squad will keep delivering excitement and success.

Scaloni Explains Captaincy Setup

Coach Scaloni quickly acted to ensure a smooth transition in leadership to maintain the team’s winning spirit. Speaking to TyC Sports, he outlined the hierarchy within the squad:

• Captain: Cristian "Cuti" Romero
• Backup captains: Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul (not available for upcoming games), Lautaro Martinez

Scaloni emphasized that Romero was the clear choice to lead the team moving forward.

Upcoming Fixtures Signal a Historic Transition

Before Messi’s farewell against Benin, Argentina will face Bolivia and Burkina Faso. These matches mark the start of Romero’s official leadership on the field. The defender now faces the challenge of maintaining high standards and uniting the squad without Messi’s presence.