Cristian Romero defied Spurs doctors advice to earn FIFA World Cup winners medal
Had Cristian Romero followed the instructions of Tottenham Hotspur’s doctors, he might have missed Argentina’s path to winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Romero, a central defender for Argentina, suffered a hamstring injury prior to the tournament and faced the prospect of missing his first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Spurs medical team informed him that he would not be fit to play in Qatar, causing him considerable stress. However, he sought a second opinion from the Argentine national team doctors, who provided him with more positive news.
He told TyC Sports in an interview (h/t Express): “When I got injured before the World Cup, the Tottenham doctors told me that it was impossible to play in the group stages. But then I contacted the National Team doctors, showed all the images and they told me not to worry and it was nothing serious.”
It’s not uncommon for two doctors to have differing opinions on a specific issue.
In this case, it’s possible that Tottenham Hotspur was prioritizing the protection of their player and their own interests, as they are paying him a substantial salary on a weekly basis.
On the other hand, the Argentine team doctors would likely have wanted Romero to be fit for the World Cup campaign.
Romero ended up playing in all of Argentina’s matches during the World Cup in Qatar and earned seven out of his 19 senior caps there. His contributions were essential to his team’s success in winning the tournament for the third time.
At just 24 years old, he has already accomplished a lot, having also won the Copa America with the national team. With his current good form, it is hoped that he can carry this success over to his club level performance and help end the team’s long wait for a trophy.
Cristian Romero defied Spurs doctors advice to earn FIFA World Cup winners medal
