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The Argentine defender stood tall in Bilbao, clutching the Europa League trophy after Spurs’ dramatic victory over Manchester United. Man of the match. Tournament’s best player. Captain fantastic.
Barcelona executives must have felt sick watching it unfold.
The Transfer That Never Was
Back in 2021, Messi was desperate. Barcelona’s defense was crumbling. Gerard Pique was injured. Samuel Umtiti couldn’t stay fit. The club needed reinforcement badly.
Enter Cristian Romero – fresh off being named Serie A’s best defender at Atalanta. 23 years old. Argentine. Available.
Messi picked up the phone. Called Barcelona president Joan Laporta directly. “Sign this kid,” he urged. “We need him.”
The response? Silence. Then rejection.
Within months, Messi was gone to PSG. Romero joined Tottenham for €50 million.
What Barcelona Missed
The numbers tell the story of Barcelona’s massive blunder:
- 1st European trophy for Tottenham in 17 years
- 23 appearances for Argentina since joining Spurs
- 4 clean sheets in Europa League knockout rounds
- 85% pass completion rate in the final
- 12 aerial duels won across the tournament
Romero didn’t just perform – he dominated. UEFA’s Technical Observer Group couldn’t ignore his impact. Tournament MVP. Final man of the match. Captain’s armband proudly worn.
The Ripple Effect
Barcelona’s defensive woes continued long after rejecting Messi’s advice. They spent €55 million on Jules Kounde in 2022. Added Andreas Christensen on a free. Neither matched Romero’s immediate impact or leadership qualities.
Meanwhile, Romero established himself as one of Europe’s premier center-backs. Argentina’s first-choice defender. Tottenham’s rock at the back.
The irony cuts deep – Messi’s international teammate thriving while Barcelona struggled defensively for 2 more seasons.
Madrid Circles Like Vultures
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are now circling. Reports suggest Xabi Alonso rates Romero as his top defensive target. Julian Alvarez publicly campaigned for his Argentina teammate to join Atletico.
The asking price? North of €80 million. That’s €30 million more than Tottenham paid 3 years ago.
Tottenham’s European Statement
Spurs’ Europa League triumph wasn’t just about silverware. It announced their return to European football’s top table. Romero epitomized that resurrection – strong, composed, uncompromising.
His leadership qualities shone brightest when pressure mounted. Organizing the backline. Commanding in the air. Ice-cool with the ball at his feet.
The kind of defender Barcelona desperately needed when Messi made that fateful phone call.
What’s Next?
Tottenham face Brighton on May 25th in their final Premier League fixture. European qualification already secured. Romero’s stock has never been higher.
For Barcelona, regret lingers. They had Messi’s personal recommendation. They had the player available. They had the need.
They chose to ignore the greatest player in their history’s advice.
Cristian Romero’s Europa League heroics serve as a painful reminder of what might have been. In football, as in life, some chances don’t come twice.
The Argentine defender Barcelona rejected just became Europe’s newest sensation. That’s got to hurt.
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