To whom would Romero like to give Argentina's number 10 jersey?

BanglaPress Desk: Following the retirement of Argentine legend Lionel Messi from international football, speculation has begun regarding who will inherit the iconic number 10 jersey. While Cristian Romero has been selected to serve as the team's captain, head coach Lionel Scaloni has not yet clarified who will take over the number 10 shirt.
Messi’s national team teammates have also shown interest in the number 10 jersey. In fact, the newly appointed Argentine captain has suggested that Julián Álvarez should be the successor to this iconic number.
Romero shared these thoughts during an interview on the talk show *Los E-Dules*. This marked the Tottenham defender’s first interview since being named captain of the Argentine national team.
Romero remarked, "Rather than assigning the responsibility to someone else to fill Messi’s shoes, I would prefer to see the number 10 jersey retired from the national team."
The number 10 jersey holds a rich legacy within the Argentine national team; it has been worn by some of the country’s greatest-ever players, including Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes.
Romero added, "Honestly, I would just retire the jersey and perhaps create a mural for it at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters—that would be it."
"That way, no one would have to take on the burden of wearing it. But, of course, that isn't really possible."
However, when asked who should wear the jersey if it remains in circulation, the World Cup winner was clear: "I would give it to Juli [Julián Álvarez]."
Romero continued, "Naturally, everyone will have their own preferences. But I see in him a sense of humility, a strong devotion to his family, and the qualities of a genuinely good person."
"He also has the talent. I believe he is the right choice."
Álvarez played a pivotal role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph and has since established himself as one of the country’s most important forwards. Romero believes that Álvarez’s humble personality and footballing ability make him a strong candidate to inherit the number 10 jersey—a shirt synonymous with Messi’s long and illustrious international career. The Argentine captain acknowledges that there are many other talented players in the national team capable of taking on this responsibility. He even jokingly suggested taking Álvarez to his own hometown, Calchín. Romero also mentioned that he had previously encouraged Álvarez to consider this idea.
Romero dismissed the conspiracy theories surrounding Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, noting that social media has fueled unnecessary speculation.
"Nothing happened in the final," he stated. "Spain played well. Playing in a World Cup is always difficult." He further pointed out that Argentina struggled physically throughout the tournament, partly due to the high number of matches played.
Romero also spoke with deep emotion about Messi, admitting that things still feel strange within the Argentine squad without their former captain.
"His career—both then and now—is something that no one will ever be able to match," Romero said.The center-back went a step further, labeling Messi the greatest footballer of all time. He also praised Messi’s continued drive to remain competitive.
Romero further questioned the credibility of modern-day individual awards, suggesting that marketing strategies and social media popularity often influence the outcome of major football accolades. In a lighthearted remark, he added, "Awards have become something of a marketing exercise now. It’s as if the person with the most Instagram followers is the one who’s going to win."
BP > SP