Argentina defender Cristian Romero has revealed that he played the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain despite struggling with an Achilles tendon injury, relying on painkilling injections and medication to feature in the decisive encounter.
According to a post shared on Facebook by Fabrizio Romano, Romero disclosed that he sustained the injury after Argentina’s match against England and was barely able to train in the days leading up to the final.
The Tottenham Hotspur centre-back admitted that Argentina’s players struggled physically throughout the tournament, suggesting that the squad entered the competition without being fully fit.
“We went into the tournament … we struggled physically throughout the entire tournament,” Romero said.
Reflecting on his determination to represent his country in the final, the defender said he had no regrets because he gave everything he could until the final whistle.
“I’m at peace with myself because I until the very last minute,” he added.
Romero explained that the Achilles tendon problem continued to trouble him after the England fixture, leaving him with limited opportunities to train before the showdown against Spain.
“After the match against England, I developed an that I still have to this day. I was barely able to train on any of the days leading up to the final,” he revealed.
The Argentine international further disclosed that he resorted to medication and painkilling injections to make himself available for the match, although his physical condition deteriorated as the game progressed.
“I played the way I did after taking a couple of pills and receiving . My body just couldn’t take any more in the second half… Despite everything, I felt capable of playing, and I wanted to be there,” Romero said.
