Background and career
Cristian Gabriel "Cuti" Romero (born 27 April 1998) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and captains the Argentina national team. Coming through the youth system, Romero began his senior career in 2016 at Belgrano. He moved to Italy in 2018, playing for Genoa. Romero was purchased by Juventus the following season; he was sent back on loan to Genoa before being sent on loan to Atalanta in 2020. After being named Serie A's Best Defender for the 2020–21 season, the club exercised the option of purchase, before promptly loaning Romero to Tottenham Hotspur with an obligation to buy. After a successful loan spell, Romero was signed by Tottenham in 2022, and went on to win the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League. Romero represented Argentina at the youth level at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship. He made his senior debut in 2021 and was a key member of the squads that won the 2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 2024 Copa América, also appearing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina reached runners-up in the final.
Having joined the youth team in 2014, Romero was promoted to Argentine Primera División side Belgrano's first team in 2016; his debut came on 28 August, in a league match with Independiente. One month later, Romero played in both of Belgrano's 2016 Copa Sudamericana round of 16 draws against Coritiba. In two seasons with Belgrano's first-team, he made nineteen appearances in all competitions.
In July 2018, Romero joined Genoa of Serie A. He scored his first senior goal in his second Genoa match, netting in a 2–2 draw with Udinese on 28 October, only to be sent off later.
On 9 July 2019, Juventus announced Romero was having a medical ahead of a requested transfer.
On 12 July 2019, Juventus announced the permanent acquisition of Romero from Genoa for €26 million, with the player remaining at his former club on loan for the rest of the season.
On 5 September 2020, Romero joined Atalanta on loan until 30 June 2022 with an option to buy. He was elected the best defender of the 2020–21 Serie A season.
