Cristian Romero's fairly tumultuous time at Tottenham Hotspur drew to a close in the summer, with the Argentinian grateful that the club were able to broker a deal with Atlético Madrid.
Romero signed a contract extension with the club the previous summer, with his stock soaring and reputation enhanced by the role he played in Spurs' Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou. Thomas Frank named him Son Heung-min's successor as captain, a decision disputed by few at the time but one that would prove to be disastrous.
Old habits resurfaced in 2025/26, and Romero struggled to lead. Injuries and suspensions meant he missed a big chunk of the season, and for a while, it seemed the defender's spell in north London was reaching a natural conclusion. Everyone had recognised that it was time to move on.
Diego Simeone's Atléti appeared the perfect destination for the 28-year-old, and Romero had enjoyed an impressive start to his time in the Spanish capital until he picked up a muscle injury two weeks ago.
Romero has sat out of Atléti's two previous games, and has spent some of his time on the sidelines waxing lyrical about a former Tottenham teammate.
Romero misses his former Spurs centre-back partner
Romero has spoken to Gaston Edul during his current absence, discussing life in the Spanish capital and the future of the Argentinian national team without Lionel Messi. The defender, often outstanding for the Albiceleste, will succeed the recently retired No. 10 as captain.
However, Edul and Romero were also about to look back on his time in north London, particularly his relationship with Micky van de Ven.
Injuries meant that the pair weren't stationed alongside one another anywhere near as much as any Spurs supporter would've wanted, and they eventually struggled to get the best out of one another during the second half of last season before Romero suffered a knee injury in April.
It wasn't quite Toby and Jan, but their partnership at its apex was brilliant and Romero loved playing alongside the flying Dutchman.
“He [Van de Ven] is an incredible player and he has everything," Romero told Edul. “I think obviously it will depend on him, because he is young, where and what he wants to do for his career, because he has it all."
Is that a suggestion he should leave Tottenham, Cuti?
“He has speed, he plays the ball, he is fast, he defends well, defends high, plays well with his feet, is technical," the Argentine added, explaining what makes Van de Ven special. Moreover, Roberto De Zerbi is helping the 25-year-old evolve after taking the armband, with the defender's work with the ball drastically improving.
“Truthfully at club level, I feel he has been a team-mate that understood me very well from day one and who elevated me, I elevated him and I also have a very good relationship [with him]. He’s a very good centre-back.”
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