‘I would hit him a lot’: Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero jokes he would ‘tear it up’ against Harry Kane if they came up against one another at the World Cup, but admits the England captain is ‘one of the greatest strikers in the world’
Cristian Romero has offered a jokey warning to Harry Kane that he will ‘hit him a lot’ if they come up against one another at the World Cup.
The centre back has started Argentina’s last two games in Qatar as they have overcome an early wobble to reach the quarter finals.
Lionel Scaloni’s men could face a fiery encounter with Brazil in the last four if they beat Croatia on Friday, and further down the line Romero could come up against Kane’s England in the final.
Cristian Romero has jokingly warned Tottenham teammate Harry Kane he would ‘tear him up’
The pair could meet in the World Cup final if England and Argentina win their next two games
‘I would be very sorry for him if I came up against him. I would hit him with a lot,’ the defender told FootballersLives.tv when asked about facing his Tottenham teammate.
‘When I play for my team I want to kill, in a good way, the rival opponent. I have said to Harry “for sure I’ll tear it up.” Unfortunately, he plays for his team. I play for mine.’
Kane may not be the only Spurs player Romero might have to worry about, with Eric Dier a possible inclusion if Gareth Southgate opts to play a back five.
The 24-year-old continued: ‘Both [Kane] and Dier, I have told them, if I face you, I am sorry for you, but if we must hit each other, it’s going to be like that.’
Eric Dier is another Tottenham player who could face Romero in an England v Argentina final
‘When he is serving for England and I am serving for Argentina. I don’t have any teammates, no friends, nothing.
‘He is for his team and I am for mine. So unfortunately, I would not be friends in that match. My objective and the other 10 who are on the field are the same to kill the rival opponent, in a good way, to die for our shirt.’
On the other Premier League stars in the Argentina side, Romero added: ‘Lisandro Martinez is my best friend, plays for [Manchester] United. I know Juli [Alvarez] because we are team mates.
‘When we play against each other – you play for your team I play for mine and I don’t know you. Once the game is over I go and give him a hug and a kiss. We talk about life.
Romero spoke of his ‘best friend’ Lisandro Martinez, who has also been lining up for Argentina
When asked about his side’s chances in the tournament, the centre back gave a startlingly frank response and named England as a stronger side. He said: ‘In all honesty Argentina is not the best team.
‘We as Argentinians are going to give everything to achieve our goal, we will die in a good way for our shirt.
‘I do think England are in the top four teams in the world. For me England, France and Brazil are candidates. I think England is among the best candidates to win the World Cup.’
Before any talk of an Argentina vs England final can be entertained, both sides will have to negotiate two tricky knockout games.
Romero’s side face Holland at 7pm on Friday, while England are next in action against France at the same time on Saturday.
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