Lionel Messi’s failed 2021 request for Cristian Romero revealed as defender battles injury before World Cup

New details emerge on Lionel Messi’s failed push to sign Cristian Romero for Barcelona. The defender now faces a fitness race for the 2026 World Cup.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 10:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

The Secret Transfer Demands of the Laporta Era

During the volatile summer of 2021, Lionel Messi reportedly identified Cristian Romero as the primary defensive target required to revitalize a struggling Barcelona squad. Following the club's humiliating 8,2 defeat to Bayern Munich and a period of internal institutional turmoil, Messi entered contract negotiations with President Joan Laporta with a mandate for world class recruitment. According to reports from the Spanish publication Sport, Messi viewed the aggressive, high pressing style of Romero as the essential fix for a backline that had become increasingly porous in elite European competition.

A Missed Opportunity for the Catalan Giants

The interest in Romero was mutual, with the defender later describing the prospect of being hand picked by Messi as amazing. At the time, Romero was under the ownership of Juventus but performing at an elite level on loan at Atalanta. Despite the tactical alignment, Barcelona’s catastrophic financial situation made the deal impossible to execute. The summer concluded not with Romero’s arrival, but with the shock departure of Messi himself to Paris Saint-Germain, a move that left the defender’s path to the Camp Nou permanently blocked and sparked years of tension between Messi and the Barcelona board.

From Serie A Stardom to North London Foundation

Following the collapse of the Barcelona interest, Romero’s career trajectory shifted toward the Premier League. After Atalanta exercised their €17 million purchase option from Juventus, they immediately loaned the defender to Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that eventually became permanent for €54 million. Since arriving in London, Romero has become a central pillar of the Spurs defense, amassing 123 appearances and contributing 13 goals. His current contract, which runs until 2029, reflects his status as one of the most valued central defenders in world football.