For many people in Argentina, the sensational World Cup triumph in Qatar will be the single greatest moment in their lives and for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, the realisation of such an incredible achievement has yet to fully sink in.
The Spurs and Argentina man still watches the dramatic victory over France in the World Cup final every single day and each time, it gives the 24-year-old a different perspective.
In the aftermath, downtown Buenos Aires descended into chaos as Argentina’s heroes were welcomed home and only then did Romero begin to fully understand what had just happened.
Five years earlier at 18, Romero had thought about calling time on his fledging career, but fast forward half a decade and he had lived his greatest footballing experience alongside arguably the game’s greatest ever player in Lionel Messi.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking exclusively to Paramount+ Mexico Romero said: “Only now, a few weeks later, I started to realise that what we achieved is something incredible.
“I watch the World Cup final game every day. I get excited with the celebrations in Argentina, the way the people treat us is extraordinary.
“I think this group deserved to win the World Cup, we have a fantastic group, because we always push forward together.
“Losing the first game helped us to be stronger mentally and we proved that during the tournament, so I think we are fair winners of the World Cup.”
In a season like no other, Romero was one of many World Cup stars thrust straight back into the demands of the Premier League and admitted readjusting to life at Tottenham had its mental challenges.
“At the beginning it was tough because, as I said in the past, I was tired mentally,” he added.
“The World Cup required a lot of mental focus like I never experienced before. We started the tournament badly, that’s why it was a bit hard.
“I love these football moments, I love playing football and I was counting the hours to come back here with my club, to play again with my teammates.
“The truth is that I’m very happy at the moment. Just to think that five years ago I was thinking of quitting and stopping playing football and now I’m competing in the best league.
“Being a World Cup champion for me is the best so I don’t have anything to complain about.”
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