Cristian Romero named Argentina captain after Lionel Messi retirement

Cristian Romero will become Argentina’s new captain when Lionel Messi ends his international career, manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed.

The Atletico de Madrid defender will take over the armband from Messi, who has led Argentina for the past 15 years. Emiliano Martinez will be the team’s vice-captain, with Lautaro Martinez third in the leadership order.

Scaloni confirmed the decision on Wednesday as Argentina prepare for Messi’s expected final international appearance. The 6 October friendly against Benin is due to be played at the Monumental, where Messi is set to bring his career with the national team to a close.

During his time as captain, Messi guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, a place in the 2026 World Cup final and two Copa America titles.

Messi’s departure will coincide with the international retirement of Nicolas Otamendi, who recently announced that he would also end his career with Argentina. Otamendi had been one of the team’s vice-captains and was previously ahead of Romero in the captaincy hierarchy.

“The captaincy will go to Romero, who was next in the order after Leo and Otamendi,” Scaloni said in comments reported by Gianluca Di Marzio.

He added: “The vice-captain will be Emiliano Martinez, followed by Lautaro Martinez as the third option.”

Romero, who plays for Atletico de Madrid, will now become the main leadership figure in an Argentina side facing the end of the Messi era.

Lautaro Martinez has represented Argentina since 2018 and has won 84 international caps, scoring 40 goals. He has also been Inter’s permanent captain since Samir Handanovic retired in the summer of 2023.

The last permanent Argentina captain before Messi was Javier Mascherano. He wore the armband between 2008 and 2011, before it passed to Messi when the forward was 24 years old.

Messi is expected to conclude his international career at the Monumental against Benin, bringing an end to a period in which he has been Argentina’s long-serving captain and central figure. Romero will then formally inherit the role, with Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez next in line.