Cristian Romero Criticized For Missing Spurs Match To Watch Game In Argentina

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has been criticized after opting to fly back to Argentina rather than support his teammates in their final-day Premier League relegation decider against Everton. 

The injured defender is traveling home to watch his boyhood club, Belgrano, in a historic championship decider against River Plate on Sunday instead of sitting in the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The center back has been out of action since suffering a knee injury during a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last month, a match that marked Roberto De Zerbi's debut in the Spurs dugout. 

While the defender cannot physically take to the pitch, his role as a leader has been called into question due to his impending absence from north London during a relegation decider.

Despite his injury, Romero had previously been a visible presence on the touchline, even joining in the celebrations when Mathys Tel scored a vital goal against Leeds United earlier this month. 

However, the 28-year-old has now chosen to return to his homeland to witness Belgrano take on River Plate in a historic Argentine league championship final. 

The timing is particularly sensitive as Tottenham face the very real threat of being relegated to English football's second tier on the same afternoon.

(AFP)

The defender’s choice was confirmed by South American football expert Tim Vickery during an appearance on talkSPORT, leading to an immediate and fierce reaction from host and Spurs fan Paul Hawksbee.

The broadcaster was clinical in his assessment of the Tottenham captain, suggesting that the player’s priorities lay far away from the Premier League survival scrap.

Explaining his stance, Hawksbee said: "Good club captain, then. Not at Tottenham's biggest game since