Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez left ‘UNABLE to join Argentina in USA due to visa issues’

Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez have not been able to join their Argentina team-mates in Miami ahead of a clash with Honduras.

The Premier League centre-backs were unable to register their visas with the US Embassy in London, after it closed on Monday for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, according to TyC Sports. 

They do still have an opportunity to link up with the side before the World Cup in November, with visas reportedly being processed in Argentina instead and an anticipated Wednesday flight to Miami. 

Cristiano Romero (left) and Lisandro Martinez have not been able to join the Argentina squad

The centre-back pairing are almost certain to be included in Lionel Scaloni’s final squad to make the trip to Qatar, having both impressed for their clubs already this season. 

TyC are reporting that the pair have now travelled to their home nation to have their visas processed before they can enter the USA, and until then they will train at the Argentinian FA’s headquarters. 

Argentina are due to face Honduras on Saturday, and the two are set to be available for selection in that clash after predictions that they could be on a plane to Miami on Wednesday.  

With the US embassy in London shut on Monday for the Queen’s funeral the pair had to process applications back in Argentina

Both will still surely be part of the Qatar World Cup squad

Their second game of the international break sees them take on Jamaica in New Jersey on Wednesday, September 28 which will also be their final confirmed match before a World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on November 22. 

Martinez has adapted well to the Premier League since his high profile switch from Ajax, and Romero has become a key figure at the heart of the Spurs defence alongside recalled England defender Eric Dier. 

Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Tagliafico and Paulo Dybala have all already joined the squad in Florida, ahead of the international break. 

Messi is a certainty to add to his 162 caps in Qatar – injuries permitting – and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner looks to be back to his best, starring for PSG alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. 

The former Barcelona talisman already has 14 goal contributions (six goals, eight assists) in just 11 appearances in all competitions so far in 2022-23. 

At 35, the 2022 Word Cup could be the little magician’s last, and having inspired his side to the final of Brazil 2014, he will surely want to go one better to add an extra jewel to an already glittering career.  

Lionel Messi has already been in scintillating form for PSG with 14 contributions in 11 games