Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has showered praise on Argentina international centre-back Cristian Romero after Lionel Messi singled him out for accolades during the international break.
The 25-year-old put in a man-of-the-match performance in his country’s 1-0 win over Ecuador last week in their World Cup qualifiers.
Romero played all 90 minutes in the game, winning five tackles, making one clearance, completing 66 of the 67 passes he attempted, winning seven out of eight ground duels, winning four out of seven aerial duels and not getting dribbled past once.
Messi called the Spurs star the best defender on the planet right now, and Postecoglou says he cannot argue.
“I would not argue with Messi,” the Tottenham boss told talkSPORT.
“I will tell you what, I wouldn’t like to play against him [Romero].
“Most of the boys don’t like to train against him.
“He’s a real competitor and I love that about him.
“Whether it’s training or a game, what you see is what you get with Romero.”
The Argentine has featured in all of the four Premier League games Tottenham have played in 2023-24, weighing in with two goals.
Romero was withdrawn in the first game of the season against Brentford after 14 minutes due to a head injury but he started and finished the next three games.
He played 27 league games last term before an injury ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
Romero suffered an injury scare against Ecuador but has been passed fit to face Bolivia today in a big boost for Spurs.
The Tottenham vice-captain has made five blocks, eight tackles, made 14 clearances, made seven headed clearances and won six aerial battles so far in the Premier League this term, and Postecoglou will hope to have him fit all season to boost their chances of finishing in the top four and winning silverware.
