Atletico de Madrid officially presented Cristian Romero to the media this Thursday. The 28-year-old Argentine centre-back expressed his delight after committing to the Rojiblancos until 2031, though he did not shy away from questions regarding the future of Julian Alvarez.

When asked to assess his compatriot's current mindset, the former Tottenham defender insisted the forward looks "very sharp": "I see him as I always have—as a lad hungry to keep scoring goals and entertaining the fans... I see him completely focused and that makes me very happy."

Beyond discussing 'La Arana', Romero addressed several other pertinent topics during his introductory press conference:

Is he the right fit for Atleti?

"I certainly hope so. Based on everything Julian and Cholo have told me... I hope to rise to the challenge and etch my name into the history of this massive club."

The supporters

"I have faced Atletico de Madrid several times and you can truly feel the intensity of the backing from the stands. That is why I am desperate to get out there and compete alongside my teammates; I hope to live up to the expectations. I am grateful for the effort the club made to bring me here and I want to repay that faith. I want to leave a lasting legacy, and the only way to do that is by winning."

Working with Simeone

"Cholo has asked me to be a leader on the pitch and to support my teammates—to feel part of this family immediately. I know I am going to feel right at home here."

The decision to join Atleti

"It was a challenge that was missing from my career. I have always wanted to play in Europe's top three leagues and I am almost there. It didn't happen last season due to the twists and turns of life, but I am thrilled to be here now. I want to prepare myself so I can join up with my teammates as quickly as possible."

A hunger for silverware

"When you compete at this level, you always play to win, and there isn't a single player at Atletico de Madrid who thinks any differently. We must take it step by step, but always with a winning mentality. The captain spoke yesterday and drove that message home from day one. Hopefully, we can lift a trophy this season."

Cristian Romero

Achievements