{
  "id": 11615127,
  "title": "Messi chose Argentina’s new captain – Romero confirms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/messi-chose-argentinas-new-captain-romero-confirms",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T06:03:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/03/messi-chose-argentinas-new-captain-romero-confirms/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentina’s new captain, Cristian Romero, has confirmed that Lionel Messi selected him for the role in an interview with Adidas Football’s communications team. Romero expressed no regret over his efforts to demonstrate his admiration for Messi, who is set to play his final match in the coming week. The former Tottenham Hotspur star remarked, \"He chose me to be captain, and that’s something beautiful.\" Romero added that his way of showing love is \"pretty rough,\" but he had told Messi he regretted not showing him all the love he always had for him.\n\nManchester United defender Lisandro Martinez also spoke with the Adidas Football communications team, praising Messi for bringing cohesion to the nation. He stated, \"Leo did not merely unite the players within the national squad. He unified an entire nation. This constitutes the legacy he bequeaths.\" Martinez expressed his deep affection for Messi, stating, \"I wish this period could have persisted indefinitely. We possess profound affection for him, and that affection shall remain with us throughout our existence.\" Martinez highlighted Messi's significant influence, saying, \"He serves as a model for all individuals. He encountered numerous challenging circumstances with the national team, yet he demonstrated unwavering determination. He consistently aspired to advance and achieve victories with Argentina.\"\n\nMessi's decision to appoint Romero as the captain was met with admiration from Martinez, who echoed the sentiment that Messi's legacy extends beyond the players within the national squad. He emphasized that Messi has united an entire nation, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. Martinez expressed his wish that the period spent with Messi could have lasted forever, as he has a profound love for the football legend.",
  "summary": "Argentina’s new captain, Cristian Romero has disclosed that Lionel Messi chose him for the position. During an interview with Adidas Football’s communications department, Romero said he harbours no regrets about his efforts to demonstrate his admiration for Messi. He was honouring the 39-year-old football legend, who is scheduled to play his final match in the […] Messi chose Argentina’s new…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi named Cristian Romero as Argentina's new captain.",
    "Romero expressed admiration for Messi, who is set to play final match.",
    "Lisandro Martinez praised Messi's unity, calling him a national unifier."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lionel Messi's endorsement of Cristian Romero as Argentina's new captain cements his influential role within the team and the nation, even as he prepares to retire.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}