Cristian Romero: Ballon d'Or is a marketing circus, I would only give it to Messi

Atletico Madrid defender Cristian Romero gave an in-depth interview to the Argentine media program "Los Hermanos Exposito". 

Reporter: If you had to pick the three most memorable matches from your entire national team career, what would be your ranking?

Romero: Argentina against France.

Reporter: The 2022 World Cup final?

Romero: Against France, undoubtedly the top one.

Reporter: So between Argentina versus the Netherlands and Argentina versus England?

Romero: The top three are very clear: first is always the 2022 World Cup final against France; second is against England, because that victory transcended sports and carried the weight of the entire nation's emotions; third is the 2021 Copa America final at the Maracana, defeating Brazil, because that was my first major senior national team championship.

Reporter: After Messi's retirement from the national team, have you been in contact with him recently? Or have you let him enjoy his peace?

Romero: I haven't deliberately reached out to him recently. We used to have long conversations during national team training camps. Seeing the national team locker room without him is indeed very unusual. His dominance and competitiveness on the field are still at their peak. But the most important thing right now is that he can finally relax and enjoy time with his family. The achievements he has written are unprecedented and will never be surpassed. In my heart, he will always be the greatest player in the history of this sport, without a doubt.

Reporter: Nowadays, individual awards like the Ballon d'Or seem increasingly shaped by commercial interests. If you had the votes in your hands, would you unhesitatingly cast them all for Messi?

Romero: One hundred percent. The current Ballon d'Or selection has largely become a marketing circus driven by capital and public relations—it even depends on who has more social media followers or who performs better in front of the camera. In pure football, people measured skill on the field, and the miraculous artistry Leo displayed is something no one else could achieve in a lifetime. That's why he is the greatest player of all time. Nowadays, people mistakenly believe whoever wins the Champions League deserves the Ballon d'Or, or whoever wins the World Cup should get it. But the kind of skill and influence Leo had on the field is something you have never seen in anyone else.

Reporter: I completely agree—this is a marketing contest! It's a core issue we often debate. Football is a team sport; the whole team wins. How do you isolate a single "best player"? It's inherently extremely difficult.

Romero: Indeed, in today's football world, it's impossible to predict who they'll give the award to. There's no denying they are all exceptionally excellent top players. Yamal, Mbappe, Kane—these three are phenomenal players with incredible individual abilities. However, Leo's performance on the field was beyond common sense and impossible to explain in words. Leo was at an absolute peak, and these younger generations are excellent with impressive statistics. They are indeed the best group of players in the world today, but I have never seen the miracles Leo once achieved in anyone else.

Reporter: If you had to present the Ballon d'Or right now, and the organizers handed you the trophy saying "you decide who to give it to"—with the caveat that you absolutely cannot choose Messi because everyone would choose him—who would you give it to?

Romero: To Messi.

Reporter: Even if the rules don't allow it, you still insist on giving it to Messi?!

Romero: Even if the rules don't allow it, I'd still only give it to him.

Reporter: Incredible! Sometimes the selection criteria are ambiguous—it's unclear whether it values team honors or individual performance more, though in reality it considers both.

Romero: Yes, the selection today mixes both. But the selection body has to do this; otherwise, they'd have to give the Ballon d'Or to Leo for twenty consecutive years. If that happened, the whole world would find it boring, so they have to devise these rules and regulations.

Reporter: There were rumors you once considered giving up your high European salary to return to your boyhood club Belgrano. Was this a genuine thought?

Romero: It was indeed a real thought. I've always maintained close contact with Belgrano's president, and countless times I've felt the urge to "go home immediately." But realistically, given the economic constraints of Argentine clubs, it's an almost impossible task. Furthermore, my journey in Europe is far from over; I still aspire to compete for trophies and pursue my dreams at the highest level. But I promise you that one day I will definitely return to Belgrano, and I will return to my boyhood club in peak condition.

Reporter: Now for the rapid-fire Q&A, Cuti! Aside from Messi, who is the most elite player you've ever played with?

Romero: Lisandro Martinez.

Reporter: If you could sign any Argentina national team teammate for your club, who would you choose?

Romero: Still Lisandro.

Reporter: Who was your football idol playing your position during your youth?

Romero: I grew up during Barcelona's dynasty when Messi played, and my most admired center-backs were Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.

Reporter: Who is the best player in football today?

Romero: Julian Alvarez.

Reporter: Who is the best passer and playmaker in football today?

Romero: Pedri.

Reporter: Who is the best one-on-one dribbler in football today?

Romero: Angel Di Maria.

Reporter: If your life depended on a penalty kick, whose feet would you entrust your fate to?

Romero: Leo Messi.

Reporter: Throughout your club and national team career, who was your most intuitive center-back partner in defense?

Romero: At the club level, I really enjoyed my partnership with Micky van de Ven during my time at Tottenham Hotspur. He's a phenomenal modern center-back with incredible raw pace, strong defensive capabilities, and excellent ball-playing skills. From day one, we formed perfect chemistry and elevated each other's game.

Reporter: In your professional career and life, what was the moment you absolutely knew you could make a living from football and were destined for success?

Romero: It was precisely during those darkest moments when countless people doubted me, asserting I wouldn't amount to anything, even claiming I'd be crawling back to Cordoba within three months looking for work. It was those voices full of contempt and negation that ignited the fire within me. I vowed to prove it all—not for revenge against those who underestimated me, but to prove to myself that I was born to conquer this green field.

Reporter: Looking back at this World Cup, do you have any regrets?

Romero: No regrets whatsoever. I gave my all for this team and did everything I could; my conscience is clear. Winning and losing are part of football, but as long as you give everything without reservation, your soul is at peace.

Reporter: In your career, which goal made you roar most exhilaratingly on the field?

Romero: When I headed the ball into the net in the desperate comeback against Egypt and roared at the opposing goalkeeper.

Reporter: Which goal conceded caused you the deepest pain?

Romero: The goal conceded against Spain in the World Cup final.

Reporter: In the long journey of football and life, what is your unfulfilled obsession right now?

Romero: My biggest dream right now is to lead Atletico Madrid to lift a championship trophy. The only way to leave your name at such a prestigious club is to win championships. Atletico Madrid has a great history, I've found a strong sense of belonging here, and I will fight until my last breath to win glory for this team.

Reporter: Facing the dual pressure of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the La Liga title race, the outside world often considers not winning the title as failure. Is this too harsh on Atletico Madrid?

Romero: The ultimate honor in competitive sports belongs only to the champions, but in the locker room we remain clear-headed and pragmatic. Every match is a decisive battle for us, and the team's desire for the trophy is ingrained deep within. Although Simeone is extremely passionate and intense on the sidelines, he perfectly channels this fighting spirit into everyone's blood. Privately, he is actually very calm and wise.