On the afternoon that captain Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday, Argentina gathered in Kansas City for a relaxed training session. The world champions had already locked up top spot in Group J. Their final fixture against Jordan now carries little weight. However, one familiar face was missing from the pitch.
Cristian Romero Injury Forces Precautionary Rest
Cristian Romero stayed off the grass after a knock to his right knee against Austria. The coaching staff decided to rest him before the Round of 32. Although the Tottenham centre back skipped the group session, the Cristian Romero injury does not look serious for now. In fact, the medical team has not even ordered any scans yet.
The affected knee carries some history, though. Romero suffered an LCL sprain in the same joint during the Premier League season. That earlier setback once worried fans and staff alike. Nevertheless, the latest checks gave Argentina no reason to panic. Therefore, the squad chose rest as the safest option.
A Smart Move Before the Knockouts
One encouraging detail stood out from the Austria match. Romero never asked to come off himself. Instead, head coach Lionel Scaloni pulled him to protect his defender. As a result, the withdrawal fits a wider plan rather than a genuine scare.
Now Romero focuses on regaining full fitness for the knockout rounds. With first place secured, Argentina can afford to manage the Cristian Romero injury carefully. Therefore, this absence reads as smart planning rather than a fitness alarm.
Moreover, keeping the defender fresh matters once the single elimination games begin. A sharp Romero gives Scaloni real defensive stability deep into the tournament. Meanwhile, his teammates can rest easy knowing the issue looks minor. Argentina will hope their caution pays off when the pressure truly arrives.
