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Cristian Romero Named Argentina Captain

Coach Lionel Scaloni handed the armband to defender Cristian Romero after Lionel Messi's international retirement, passing over Lautaro Martínez and Tagliafico.

Messi and Romero in Argentina national team training kit, Romero has his arm around Messi

Cristian Romero has been named Argentina's new captain, replacing Lionel Messi. TyC Sports reported that head coach Lionel Scaloni made the decision, passing over Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás Tagliafico for the armband. Nicolás Otamendi, the side's vice-captain, has also stepped away from the national team.

Romero, a 28-year-old centre-back at Atlético Madrid, made his Argentina debut in 2021. He was part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup.

Messi announced his departure from the national team on 31 August, after 20 years and 15 of them as captain. He leaves as Argentina's all-time top scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. "It is a very difficult decision," he said.

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