Cristian Romero
Centre-Back · Atlético Madrid · Argentina
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About Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero — known as Cuti — is one of the most aggressive and effective centre-backs in world football. A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, his intensity, aerial dominance and ability to read the game have made him one of the most important defenders of his generation.
Cristian Romero's story
Córdoba Roots and the Long Way Round
Born in Córdoba on 27 April 1998, Romero picked up the nickname 'Cuti' from his older sister Aldana, who shortened his name because he couldn't pronounce it as a child. He came through Belgrano's youth ranks, debuting for the first team in 2016, before Genoa signed him in July 2018. Juventus bought him a year later for €26m but immediately loaned him back to Genoa, and it took a loan to Atalanta in September 2020 — where he was voted Serie A's Best Defender in his first season — before his career truly took off.
Atalanta to Tottenham
Romero's career transformed at Atalanta, where Gasperini's high-pressing system perfectly suited his style. His performances were so outstanding that Juventus bought him only to immediately loan him back, before Tottenham eventually paid €55m. He was part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup winning squad.
A Family Settling Into a New Home
Romero married Karen Cavaller in 2020, having met her in Córdoba in 2018. The couple have two children, son Valentino (born December 2021) and daughter Lucy (born November 2024), and are relocating the family from London to Madrid following his move to Atlético in August 2026.
A New Chapter at Atlético
In August 2026, after four years and 156 Premier League appearances, Romero left Tottenham (whom he had briefly captained) for Atlético Madrid on a five-year deal, joining Diego Simeone's famously combative side as Argentina's newest export to La Liga.
Reuniting With Argentina's Class of 2026
Romero's move reunited him with three Argentina team-mates already at the Metropolitano — Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone and goalkeeper Juan Musso — just weeks after Argentina's run to the 2026 World Cup final ended in a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain on 19 July 2026.
Did you know?
- 🏆 Romero was part of Argentina's historic 2022 World Cup winning squad — the country's first World Cup since 1986 — a triumph that made him a national hero alongside Messi and the rest of that legendary group.
- 💪 Romero is consistently one of the highest-rated defenders in the Premier League for defensive duels won and aerial duel success rate — his physical intensity sets him apart from most centre-backs in the world game.
- 👨👩👧👦 Romero married Karen Cavaller in 2020, and the couple have two children, Valentino (born December 2021) and Lucy (born November 2024); the family is relocating from London to Madrid after his August 2026 move to Atlético.
- 🥇 Romero picked up the UEFA Europa League Player of the Season award for 2024-25 — but not as Tottenham's captain: that armband belonged to Son Heung-min for the Bilbao final. Romero didn't inherit it himself until August 2025, after Son's move to LAFC.
- ❤️ Romero supports Fundación Sueños Deportivos, a charity in his native Córdoba that helps vulnerable children — run by his father, Víctor Romero.
- 🎖️ During his 2020-21 loan season at Atalanta, Romero was voted Serie A's Best Defender — the form that convinced the club to sign him permanently and put him on Tottenham's radar.
- 🥈 Romero featured throughout Argentina's run to the 2026 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 after extra time on 19 July 2026.
- 🎽 He wore the number 17 shirt throughout his four years at Tottenham; at Atlético Madrid he has taken number 22.
- 🟨 Romero's aggressive style has a disciplinary side too — more than 70 yellow cards and 4 reds across his senior career underline the same intensity that makes him one of the most combative defenders in the game.
- 🏆 Romero was named to the Copa América Team of the Tournament for a second time as Argentina retained the trophy in 2024 — he'd first earned the honour in 2021.
- ⚡ Romero's header just 130 seconds into his senior international debut, against Colombia in June 2021, is the fastest goal in Argentina's history — beating a record Diego Maradona had held since 1985.
- 🥇 Romero was voted Serie A's Best Defender for the 2020-21 season during his breakout year at Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini — the individual award that first put him on Tottenham's radar.
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