With the first international break of 2025 approaching, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> is set to return to the Argentina national team after a five-month absence. As Argentina prepares to face <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/brazil/">Brazil</a> and Uruguay in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, the squad has regained a key defensive asset.



Currently leading the standings, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a> faces a demanding week with matches against second-placed Uruguay and a Brazil squad bolstered by Neymar’s return. For this reason, coach Lionel Scaloni is counting on his strongest squad possible — including a crucial player who is now back in action.



Argentina will welcome back standout center-back <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristian-romero/">Cristian Romero</a> for the World Cup Qualifiers. The Tottenham Hotspur defender recently returned to action after spending over three months sidelined with a muscle injury and is now fit for international duty.



Romero sustained a quadriceps muscle tear on December 8, with an initial recovery timeline of six weeks. However, setbacks during his rehabilitation extended his absence, delaying his return to the pitch. His 61-minute appearance against Bournemouth marked the end of a lengthy recovery process that proved more challenging than expected.



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Romero’s return is crucial for Argentina, especially with Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez unavailable due to an ACL injury. Now fully recovered, Romero is expected to partner with Nicolas Otamendi in Argentina’s defensive lineup.



<h2>Romero opens up on his recovery struggles</h2>



Romero faced persistent injury troubles throughout the season, but this latest setback proved particularly frustrating as his return date was repeatedly delayed. After finally making his comeback, the Argentine defender shared a heartfelt message on social media.



“After a difficult period full of things that happened along the way, I’m back with the group and happy to be able to help the team,” Romero wrote on his X account, expressing his determination to help Tottenham bounce back as well.



He also credited Argentina’s medical staff for their support during his recovery: “Grateful to the physios of Argentina for getting me through a tough time and putting me back on the pitch where I’m so happy. Thanks to everyone for the constant support.”

Lionel Messi's Argentina regains key player for crucial World Cup Qualifiers vs. Brazil and Uruguay

Lionel Messi's Argentina regains key player for crucial World Cup Qualifiers vs. Brazil and Uruguay - World Soccer Talk

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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>‘s 2-1 loss to Paraguay in the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers on Thursday delivered a double blow to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a>‘s team. Beyond their struggles in front of goal, Lionel Scaloni’s squad could reportedly lose two first team players ahead of the next game against Peru on Tuesday.



After the game at Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion, both Argentina defenders <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristian-romero/">Cristian Romero</a> and Nicolas Tagliafico are reportedly to be sidelined due to injury concerns. The Tottenham Hotspur player was subbed off in the halftime due to an inconvenience in his right foot, and the Olympique Lyon player twisted his shoulder after a clash in the second half.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lionel-messi-could-lose-key-layer-to-injury-ahead-of-argentinas-world-cup-qualifiers/">Romero was already in doubt to be a starter in Argentina’s squad</a>. In the last Premier League game against Aston Villa, the defender had to be subbed off after a clash with rival Morgan Rogers. Despite the pain in his right foot, Scaloni decided to play Romero as a starter, but the defender struggled to cope with the pace of the game and was replaced after 45 minutes.



Meanwhile, Nicolas Tagliafico sustained a shoulder injury during a second-half collision. The Olympique Lyon left-back required on-field treatment but managed to finish the game despite visible discomfort. While the injury is suspected to be a sprained shoulder rather than a dislocation, Tagliafico will undergo further medical tests upon the team’s return to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a> to confirm the extent of the damage.



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Romero and Tagliafico’s potential absences add to Argentina’s mounting injury concerns in defense. Ahead of this international window, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-scaloni/">Scaloni</a> had already been forced to leave out Manchester United Lisandro Martínez, and River plate German Pezzella and Marcos Acuña due to fitness issues. With Messi leading Argentina’s attack, Scaloni faces the challenge of reconfiguring a depleted backline to keep their qualification campaign on track.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lionel-messi-confronts-referee-after-argentinas-loss-to-paraguay-in-2026-world-cup-qualifiers/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20241115_WST_539842_Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Paraguay.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Following Argentina&apos;s 2-1 loss to Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, star Lionel Messi confronted referee Anderson Daronco over several controversial decisions.
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<h2>Who could replace the defenders?</h2>



If Romero and Tagliafico are ruled out, Scaloni will need to make critical adjustments to his defensive setup. Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique Marseille, who replaced Romero in the second half against Paraguay, is the most likely candidate to start in central defense.



The left-back position, however, presents a greater dilemma. With both Tagliafico and Acuña unavailable, Argentina lacks a natural option for the role. Scaloni may have to improvise, with Facundo Medina of RC Lens emerging as a strong candidate. The left-footed center-back booked his own flight from France to Paraguay after learning he had been called up due to the earlier defensive absences.



Alternatively, Scaloni could opt for a three-center-back formation and deploy Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho as a left wing-back. Garnacho has experience in the role under Erik ten Hag, offering a more attacking approach down the left flank.

Messi's Argentina reportedly without two first team players for Peru clash after losing to Paraguay

Messi's Argentina reportedly without two first team players for Peru clash after losing to Paraguay - World Soccer Talk

After clinching the 2024 Copa America, Argentina’s national team, under coach Lionel Scaloni, continues to enjoy a winning streak. With crucial World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru approaching, they’re aiming to solidify their lead at the top of the table. However, Lionel Messi might face the challenge of competing without a key squad member.



During Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in Premier League Matchday 10, defender Cristian Romero was forced off in the second half after suffering a right foot injury.



The incident occurred in the 58th minute when Romero executed a strong sliding tackle on Villa forward Morgan Rogers, earning himself a booking. Yet, it was Romero who appeared to suffer the worst of the exchange, struggling to get up and showing visible discomfort while holding his right foot. Unable to continue, he was substituted in the 61st minute.



In the post-match press conference, Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou acknowledged the injuries sustained by his players, expressing cautious optimism about Romero’s condition: “Richarlison felt his hamstring and Romero got a knock. We just have to deal with what we have to deal with. We have guys who can come in and were going to need that.”



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According to Argentine journalist and insider Gaston Edul on X (formerly Twitter), Romero will undergo tests tomorrow to assess the severity of his injury. Preliminary information suggests a possible bone injury in his toe, which would cast doubt on his availability for Argentina’s match against Paraguay in just under two weeks.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/messi-reveals-post-retirement-plans-why-coaching-isnt-in-his-future/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20241102_WST_538132_Messi-reveals-post-retirement-plans-Why-coaching-isnt-in-his-future-1.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="ionel Messi navigates the closing chapters of his illustrious career, the world is abuzz with questions about his next steps.
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<h2>Romero, a vital asset for Argentina</h2>



Cristian Romero has played a crucial role in Argentina’s recent international successes, anchoring the defense during their Copa America and World Cup triumphs under Scaloni’s guidance.



The center-back has earned 38 caps for the national team, averaging 85 minutes per match, underscoring his role as a mainstay in Argentina’s lineup. With Romero on the pitch, Argentina has conceded only 14 goals while netting 66, a testament to his influence on both ends of the field.



<h2>Cuti’s 2024-25 season with Spurs</h2>



This season, Romero has emerged as a pivotal figure in Tottenham’s defense, especially following teammate Micky van de Ven’s injury. As the team captain, he has played 11 matches, leading Spurs to 7th place in the Premier League standings with 16 points, just two points shy of the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.

Lionel Messi could lose key player to injury ahead of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi could lose key player to injury ahead of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers - World Soccer Talk

Ange Postecoglou will need to find a replacement for Cristian Romero at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham</a> with the latest injury to his side. The Argentine center-back picked up a hamstring injury during Spurs’ win over Everton two days before Christmas. The injury is a major miss for a Tottenham side that has rattled off three straight wins after that run of one point in five games. Romero, who missed many of those games because of a red card suspension, has been integral to the Tottenham back line this season.



On Wednesday, the Tottenham manager confirmed the diagnosis that will see the center-back out for over a month. Romero only played half of the game against Everton. At the break, Eric Dier replaced Romero, with the injury surely playing a role in Postecoglou’s decision.



“Not so great with Romero,” <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1739974062485524725" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Postecoglou told reporters</a> in his press conference. “He had a scan the other day, he’s got a hamstring strain. So, we are looking at probably four or five weeks for him.”



The Australian boss noted the physical toll of the Everton game on his players. However, the loss of Romero after 45 minutes was noticeable. Tottenham entered the break with a comfortable two-goal lead in north London. Everton responded in the second half with a goal and many chances. That could be the threat Tottenham faces in the absence of Romero.



<h2>Cristian Romero injury adds to Tottenham woes</h2>



Spurs have one of the more impressive lists of injuries in the Premier League. With Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon out for extended periods, Ange Postecoglou has been juggling his lineups. Also, Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a new injury that is keeping him out of the squad.



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As stated, Romero missed time with that red card. That combined with an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/spurs-vs-chelsea-live-epl-stream-updates-and-latest-score-20231106-WST-467642.html">injury to Micky van de Ven</a> to play into Tottenham’s struggles. Fortunately for Spurs, van de Ven is coming back from a hamstring injury of his own by early January. They will be on the sidelines together briefly, which will certainly impact Tottenham’s form. However, the return of the Dutchman is a welcome addition to Postecoglou’s side.



<h2>Mixed bag of fixtures over the next month</h2>



The absence of Romero comes during a month of differing fixtures for Tottenham. Some of the games are integral to Tottenham’s bid to return to the Champions League next season. Others are seemingly simple games that suddenly become challenging contests. For example, Romero, as well as van de Ven, will be out for Tottenham’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday. 



In mid-January, Tottenham travels to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> in a game that has major implications for the table. The two clubs have five points of separation, but neither has shown overly consistent form over the last several months. That game could come at a time when the two are closer in the table than they are currently.



Tottenham will also begin its quest to end its long trophy drought with the FA Cup. Spurs have a third-round tie against Burnley in early January. Tottenham is already out of the League Cup and there is no European competition for the club.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Tottenham loses Cristian Romero for a month to injury

Tottenham center-back Cristian Romero will spend an extended period on the sidelines with a hamstring injury from the Everton game.

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