It was a year ago today when supporters were thrusting Cristian Romero's name into lofty Tottenham discussions.
The Argentine, so obviously brilliant when fit, focused and available, had just produced an outstanding performance in the Europa League final to help bring to an end our 17-year wait for a major trophy.
Romero's Bilbao brilliance capped a stellar continental campaign, with Son Heung-min's injury late in the season seeing Ange Postecoglou's vice-captain take the armband on the big occasion. He seemed the relish the increased responsibility, with the mentality that manifested in Qatar rubbing off on his teammates who were so desperate to triumph not solely for a fanbase that'd longed for glory, but Ange and Sonny, too.
Better than Toby and Jan, some said. He could break bread with Ledley, others claimed, amid a state of euphoria. The drunken videos that emerged in the aftermath, not to mention his antics at the parade, only elevated Romero's status among supporters.
His selection as captain, having extended his contract, was deemed just, but Romero has proven to be a disaster as the leading man. If a rather laughable recent report proves to be true, those same supporters so keen to compare the Argentine to the best Spurs centre-backs of modern times will be pleading for redactions.
Tottenham's captain won't be present on final day vs. Everton
I've backed Romero to the hilt even in the most trying circumstances, but this would be even a step beyond my staunch defence.
According to South American football expert Tim Vickery (via Daily Hotspur on X), Tottenham's captain will not be in attendance on the final day of the Premier League season, with Spurs needing just a point against Everton to all but guarantee their place in the top-flight for 2026/27.
Instead, Romero will be back in Argentina to watch the Primera División final between behemoths River Plate and his boyhood club, Belgrano, which kicks off at 7.30 p.m. (BST) on Sunday evening.
If this is true, how have we allowed it to happen? The standards are on the floor. This is the most important domestic fixture in Tottenham's modern history, and our captain is back in his homeland. I hope he has his FotMob notifications on. Perhaps he'll be scrolling his X timeline for live updates.
It's an unforgivable move from Romero, who supposedly had physios from the Argentinian national team fly to London to aid his rehab from a knee injury so he could be around his teammates during these desperate times. Now, he's ditching them on the final day.
We can only hope Vickery's spouting some nonsense. The bloke, while brilliant at what he does, has pulled wool over the eyes regarding the potential of South American starlets heading to Europe's big leagues. Perhaps he's toying with us a bit here.
If Romero isn't there on Sunday, a very bitter farewell will ensue this summer. How hollow would all that hierarchy calling-up appear?
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