Cristian Romero has backed Julian Alvarez to inherit Lionel Messi’s iconic Argentina No. 10 shirt, praising the striker’s humility, character and footballing ability as the national team considers who should wear the famous number next.
Argentina’s new captain initially suggested retiring the shirt altogether to spare another player the pressure of following Messi, whose international career has left an extraordinary legacy. But Romero acknowledged that the number cannot simply be put aside and named Alvarez as his preferred successor.
“I would honestly put it aside, put up a mural at the AFA and that’s it, so no one has that responsibility, but that can’t be done,” Romero said in his first interview as captain, speaking to Los Edul.
Asked who should wear it if the number remains available, he gave a direct answer: “I would give it to Juli [Alvarez].”
Romero explained that his choice was based on more than the Atlético Madrid forward’s performances on the pitch.
“After that, everyone surely has their own. I see him with that profile of humility, of being a family man, a good guy, and he has the qualities. I think it’s him,” the defender said.
Alvarez played a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph and has established himself as one of the country’s leading attacking players. Romero revealed that he had raised the possibility of Alvarez taking the No. 10 shirt with him before, although the forward appears content with his current number.
Argentina have several players who could be considered for the responsibility, but Romero believes Alvarez has the personality as well as the ability to carry the shirt’s history.
The number has been worn by some of Argentina’s greatest players, including Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes, before becoming synonymous with Messi’s achievements. Any successor would therefore inherit a shirt carrying decades of expectation.
Romero also rejected conspiracy theories surrounding Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, saying that social media had fuelled unnecessary speculation.
“Nothing happened in the final,” he said, acknowledging that Spain played well and that Argentina struggled physically during the tournament.
He also paid tribute to Messi, saying the former captain’s career was beyond comparison and describing him as the greatest player in football history.
Romero questioned the influence of marketing and social media on individual awards, joking that the Ballon d’Or could go to the player with the most Instagram followers. Asked whom he would choose, he named Messi.
