Cristian Romero is an Argentina international defender who spent five seasons with Tottenham Hotspur, winning the Europa League and serving as club captain before joining Atlético Madrid in 2026.
Known as “Cuti”, Romero initially arrived at Spurs from Atalanta in 2021 and went on to make 156 competitive appearances, scoring 13 goals.
His most significant Tottenham achievement came in 2025 when he captained Spurs in the Europa League final victory over Manchester United and was named Player of the Match.
Romero was subsequently appointed Tottenham’s club captain for the 2025/26 season before leaving for Atlético Madrid in August 2026.
Here is everything you need to know about Romero’s Tottenham career, international success, nickname and move to Spain.
Information checked: 16 September 2026.
Cristian Romero profile
| Full name | Cristian Gabriel Romero |
| Nickname | Cuti |
| Date of birth | 27 April 1998 |
| Place of birth | Córdoba, Argentina |
| Height | 1.85m |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current club | Atlético Madrid |
| Atlético squad number | 21 |
| Tottenham career | 2021–2026 |
| Tottenham appearances | 156 |
| Tottenham goals | 13 |
| Tottenham captain | 2025/26 |
| Major Spurs trophy | UEFA Europa League, 2024/25 |
| Argentina honours | World Cup, two Copa Américas, Finalissima |
When did Cristian Romero join Tottenham?
Tottenham signed Romero from Atalanta in August 2021.
The defender initially joined Spurs on loan for the 2021/22 season before the move was made permanent the following year.
Romero arrived in England having been named Serie A’s Best Defender for the 2020/21 season after an impressive campaign with Atalanta.
He quickly became an important part of Tottenham’s defence and helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League during his first season in north London.
Over five seasons, Romero made 156 appearances in all competitions and scored 13 goals.
Cristian Romero’s Tottenham career
Romero established himself as one of Tottenham’s first-choice central defenders during his time at the club.
His aggressive approach to defending, anticipation and willingness to step forward from the defensive line became defining features of his game.
In August 2023, Romero was appointed vice-captain alongside James Maddison after Heung-min Son became club captain.
The 2023/24 campaign was also his most productive Premier League season in front of goal, with Romero scoring five times.
Injuries restricted his involvement during parts of 2024/25, but he returned during the latter stages of Tottenham’s Europa League campaign and played a major role as Spurs finally ended their long wait for a trophy.
Romero and Tottenham’s 2025 Europa League victory
Romero produced some of his most important Tottenham performances during the knockout stages of the 2024/25 Europa League.
After returning from injury, he played throughout the decisive latter stages of the competition.
Romero captained Tottenham in the quarter-final second leg away to Eintracht Frankfurt, both semi-final matches against Bodø/Glimt and the final against Manchester United.
Spurs defeated United 1-0 in Bilbao on 21 May 2025, with Brennan Johnson scoring the only goal.
Romero played the full match and was named UEFA’s official Player of the Match.
He was subsequently selected in the Europa League Team of the Season and named UEFA Europa League Player of the Season for 2024/25.
Romero made seven appearances in the competition, with his influence particularly significant during the knockout rounds.
The victory secured Tottenham’s first major trophy since 2008 and their first European honour since winning the UEFA Cup in 1984.
See our Tottenham Hotspur honours page for the club’s complete trophy record.
Was Cristian Romero Tottenham captain?
Romero was officially appointed Tottenham club captain ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Heung-min Son had been captain for the previous two campaigns before leaving Tottenham for LAFC in August 2025.
Romero had already regularly worn the armband when Son was unavailable and captained the starting XI throughout the closing stages of Tottenham’s successful Europa League campaign.
Following Son’s departure, Romero became his permanent successor.
He remained Tottenham captain throughout the 2025/26 season before leaving the club in August 2026.
Read more about Son’s Tottenham career in our Heung-min Son profile.
When did Cristian Romero leave Tottenham?
Romero left Tottenham to join Atlético Madrid on 15 August 2026.
The move brought his five-year Spurs career to an end.
Atlético signed Romero on a five-year contract running until 30 June 2031.
Reports in England valued the deal at approximately £34.2 million, with Tottenham also retaining a reported 15 per cent sell-on clause.
Romero took the number 21 shirt at Atlético.
His departure came after a 2025/26 season in which he made 32 appearances in all competitions, taking his final Tottenham total to 156.
Why is Cristian Romero called Cuti?
Romero has been known by the nickname “Cuti” since childhood.
The nickname originated with his older sister Aldana.
According to accounts of Romero’s childhood in Argentina, his sister used “Cuti” when attempting to say Cristian, and the name remained with him as he grew up.
It followed Romero throughout his football career and is now routinely used by teammates, supporters and clubs when referring to the defender.
Atlético Madrid even used the nickname when announcing his arrival in 2026.
Romero’s career before Tottenham
Romero began his professional career with Belgrano in Argentina.
He made his senior debut in 2016 before moving to Italian football with Genoa in 2018.
Juventus signed Romero the following year but immediately loaned him back to Genoa.
He never made a competitive first-team appearance for Juventus.
Romero then joined Atalanta on loan for the 2020/21 season.
His performances in Bergamo earned widespread recognition and he was named Serie A’s Best Defender for that campaign.
Atalanta subsequently completed his permanent signing before Romero moved to Tottenham on loan in August 2021.
What has Cristian Romero won with Argentina?
Romero has enjoyed considerable international success with Argentina.
He made his senior international debut in June 2021 and quickly became a regular part of Lionel Scaloni’s defence.
His major international honours include:
| Competition | Year |
|---|---|
| Copa América | 2021 |
| Finalissima | 2022 |
| FIFA World Cup | 2022 |
| Copa América | 2024 |
Romero was part of the Argentina team that defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
That made him only the second Tottenham player to win the World Cup while representing the club.
He also helped Argentina retain the Copa América in 2024.
Romero at the 2026 World Cup
Romero reached another World Cup final with Argentina in 2026.
Argentina progressed to the final in New Jersey after defeating England 2-1 in the semi-final.
They faced Spain in the final on 19 July 2026.
Romero started the match but was substituted during the second half as Argentina attempted to successfully defend the trophy they had won four years earlier.
Spain eventually won 1-0 after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in the 106th minute.
Romero therefore left Tottenham in August 2026 having appeared in consecutive World Cup finals.
What type of defender is Cristian Romero?
Romero is primarily a right-sided centre-back.
His game is characterised by aggressive defending, anticipation and a willingness to move out of the defensive line to challenge opponents.
He is also comfortable carrying possession forward and attempting progressive passes from defence.
That proactive style made him a popular figure among many Tottenham supporters, although it could also result in disciplinary problems when challenges were mistimed.
Romero’s leadership qualities became increasingly important during his later seasons at Spurs, eventually leading to his appointment as captain.
How many goals did Romero score for Tottenham?
Romero scored 13 goals during his 156 competitive Tottenham appearances.
His most productive Premier League campaign was 2023/24, when he scored five league goals.
He added a further six goals across all competitions during the 2025/26 season.
Although primarily a defender, Romero regularly posed a threat from corners and other set pieces.
Cristian Romero’s Tottenham legacy
Romero’s Tottenham career will be particularly associated with the club’s 2025 Europa League triumph.
Although Son was Tottenham’s official club captain during the 2024/25 season and ultimately lifted the trophy, Romero captained the starting XI in the final and was named Player of the Match.
UEFA subsequently recognised him as the competition’s Player of the Season.
He was then appointed Tottenham captain for 2025/26 before ending his five-year stay in north London the following summer.
His final Spurs record stands at 156 appearances, 13 goals and one major trophy.
Romero therefore left Tottenham as a World Cup-winning Argentina international, former Spurs captain and one of the central figures in the team that ended the club’s 17-year wait for silverware.
For more Tottenham history, explore our Tottenham Hotspur club history, club honours and Heung-min Son profile.
Sources
Romero’s final Tottenham appearance total and departure have been checked against Tottenham Hotspur’s official announcement of his move to Atlético Madrid.
His Europa League achievements have been checked against UEFA’s official Player of the Season announcement.
Romero’s current club and contract information can be found in Atlético Madrid’s official announcement.