Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirms Cristian Romero as the new captain to succeed Lionel Messi after the veteran forward’s final international match

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that 28-year-old Cristian Romero will become the national team’s new captain after Lionel Messi plays his final international match for Argentina.

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Scaloni announced the decision ahead of Argentina’s upcoming friendly fixtures against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin, bringing clarity to the succession plan for the captaincy.

Romero, who has already served as one of Argentina’s senior leaders, will take over the armband from Messi, who has captained the national side for much of the most successful period in the country’s recent history.

“The captain is going to be Cuti,” Scaloni said, referring to Romero by his popular nickname.

The Argentina coach explained that Romero had already been positioned behind Messi and Nicolas Otamendi in the leadership hierarchy and had established himself as a trusted figure within the squad.

“He was already the third captain after Leo and Ota (Nicolas Otamendi),” Scaloni said.

Scaloni also acknowledged that Argentina have several other players capable of taking the captain’s armband, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez.

“There is Emiliano, who can also wear the armband. Rodrigo, who will not be in these two games, can also wear it. Lautaro can wear it. Cuti is the right one,” he added.

The appointment makes Romero the latest player to assume a major leadership role as Argentina prepares for life beyond Messi’s international career.

Romero has become an important part of Scaloni’s defensive set-up since establishing himself in the national team.

His aggressive style, physical presence and experience at international level have helped him become one of the senior figures in the squad.

His elevation also comes after an era in which Messi has been the central figure of Argentina’s national team.

Messi led the country to the 2021 Copa América title, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, before Argentina retained their Copa América crown in 2024.

The transition to Romero reflects Argentina’s efforts to maintain continuity while gradually preparing for a future without one of the most influential players in the country’s history.

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Scaloni’s confirmation means the captaincy succession has now been clearly established, although Messi’s final appearance for Argentina will mark the formal end of his long tenure as national-team captain.