Argentina defender Cristian Romero has taken a significant step in his recovery from a knee injury by returning to on-field training, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Friday. The 28-year-old centre-back had been limited to individual gym sessions under the supervision of team physiotherapists since sustaining the injury during Argentina's 2-0 FIFA World Cup Group J victory over Austria on Monday.
Romero's injury and recovery timeline
Romero was forced off in the 57th minute of the Austria match and is widely expected to miss Argentina's final group-stage fixture against Jordan on Saturday. Veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi is the likely replacement in the starting lineup. The injury comes as a fresh setback for Romero, who had only recently returned from a previous knee problem suffered in April, raising ongoing concerns about his fitness consistency.
Training session details
Argentina held their final training session ahead of the Jordan clash on Friday in Kansas City. Romero did not participate in the opening 15 minutes that were open to media coverage. The session began with a video analysis of Jordan's tactics before the squad moved to the gym and then the training pitch. Head coach Lionel Scaloni led tactical drills, while his assistants conducted set-piece routines focusing on free-kicks and corners.
Match context and group standing
Argentina will conclude their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J campaign against Jordan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday. The contest is effectively a dead rubber, as Lionel Messi's side has already secured top spot in the group following wins over Algeria and Austria. Jordan, meanwhile, has been eliminated after consecutive defeats to Austria and Algeria, leaving Saturday's fixture with no impact on the final Group J standings.
Romero's return to on-field training, while positive, is unlikely to see him feature in the match, with Scaloni expected to rest key players ahead of the knockout stages. The defender's fitness will be closely monitored as Argentina aims for a deep run in the tournament.
