Romero to replace Messi as Argentina captain

“The captain is going to be Cuti. He was already the third captain after Leo and Ota (Nicolas Otamendi),” Scaloni said, according to TyC Sports, as reported by Goal.

“There is Emiliano (Martinez), who can also wear the armband. Rodrigo (De Paul), who will not be in these two games, can also wear it.

Lautaro (Martinez) can wear it. Cuti is the right one.” The decision is not entirely new for Romero, who had already been part of Argentina’s leadership group before Messi and Otamendi left the national team after the 2026 World Cup.