SouthernWorldwide.com – Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has drawn criticism for his decision to travel to Argentina to watch a crucial match for his boyhood club, Belgrano, instead of being present for his teammates’ final-day Premier League relegation decider against Everton.
Romero, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, is opting to fly home to witness Belgrano’s historic championship decider against River Plate on Sunday. This comes at a time when his current club, Tottenham Hotspur, faces a very real threat of relegation from the Premier League.
The Argentine defender sustained his knee injury during Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last month. This match also marked Roberto De Zerbi’s debut as interim manager for Spurs.
While Romero is physically unable to play, his absence from the stadium during such a critical fixture for Tottenham has raised questions about his leadership and commitment. His role as captain is being scrutinized due to his decision to be in Argentina rather than with the squad.
Previously, despite his injury, Romero had been a visible presence on the touchline, even joining in celebrations when a crucial goal was scored against Leeds United earlier this month. This recent decision to prioritize his former club’s match stands in contrast to his earlier actions.
The 28-year-old’s choice to attend the Belgrano vs. River Plate match was confirmed by South American football expert Tim Vickery. Vickery discussed the situation on talkSPORT, prompting a strong reaction from host and Tottenham fan Paul Hawksbee.
Hawksbee was particularly critical of Romero’s decision, suggesting that the player’s priorities lie elsewhere. He expressed his disappointment in a pointed manner.
“Good club captain, then. Not at Tottenham’s biggest game since 1976 – fantastic. True to the end, good old Cristian. I’ll be wearing my River Plate shirt at the weekend. I think that’s terrible,” Hawksbee stated.
He further elaborated on his views: “He goes and watches the club he supports as opposed to the club captain of a team that’s threatened with relegation, where he’s not there with the lads and all the other injured players. But you know, I mean, as I said, it’s true at the end; I always thought that Cristian Romero was just passing through and that Tottenham were a distraction from Argentina. But I am quite bitter.”
Tim Vickery attempted to provide context for Romero’s deep connection to the Belgrano vs. River Plate fixture. He explained the personal significance of this match for the World Cup winner.
Romero began his football career at Belgrano, joining their youth academy in 2014 and making his senior debut two years later. The match represents a significant moment for the club where his football journey began.
Vickery highlighted the historical importance of the Argentine league championship final for Belgrano. He emphasized that this is not merely a secondary interest for Romero but a profound connection to his roots.
“I knew this would wind you up. Belgrano are Romero’s club. It’s the club where he started, and he’s a fan. Belgrano have never won the Argentine Championship, and they are going to River Plate, who have won more than anyone else, so this is historic,” Vickery explained.
He also pointed out the historical context of the rivalry: “15 years ago, these two met in the playoff that relegated River Plate, and if Tottenham going down is off the scale, River Plate going down is even more off the scale.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is focused on guiding Spurs to Premier League survival. His tenure has seen a mixed bag of results so far.
Since taking over, De Zerbi has overseen six matches, securing two wins, two draws, and two defeats. His primary objective is to steer the North London club away from the relegation zone.
Tottenham’s Premier League status remains uncertain as the season heads into its final round. Their fate is not yet sealed, and a positive result could secure their safety.
A defeat against Everton on the final day, coupled with a West Ham United victory over Leeds United, would result in Tottenham’s relegation to the Championship. This outcome would be a significant blow to the club.
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However, a win against Everton would guarantee Tottenham’s place in the Premier League for the following season. Even a draw could be enough for Spurs to survive, thanks to their considerably better goal difference compared to West Ham.
