A viral moment from a recent interview with Lisandro Martínez (for Argentina’s national team setup) has been built around a fun, rapid-fire Q&A (ping-pong style) with interviewer Ezequiel (via @AlbicelesteTalk and shared by accounts like @sudanalytics_).
The Manchester United defender was asked a series of questions about the best centre-backs, his partners, comparisons, etc.
No matter the question, he kept answering “Cuti Romero” (Cristian “Cuti” Romero, his Argentina teammate at Tottenham):
Best player you’ve played with? → Cuti Romero
Your best centre-back partnership? → Cuti Romero
Best player in your position today? → Cuti Romero
Gabriel Heinze or Cuti Romero? → Cuti Romero
Van Dijk or Cuti Romero? → Cuti Romero
Best Argentine centre-back today? → Cuti Romero
Top 3 centre-backs you’ve seen? → Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk, and Cuti Romero
Top 3 Argentine centre-backs? → Cuti, Otamendi, and Heinze
Best centre-back you’ve seen in the Argentina national team? → Cuti Romero
It was clearly playful loyalty/banter between the two close friends (they’ve been tight since the U20 days and form one of the most successful CB duos in international football, winning the World Cup and Copas together).
Lisandro Martínez (often called “Licha”) and Cristian “Cuti” Romero share a strong friendship that goes beyond their professional partnership as centre-backs for the Argentina national team (La Scaloneta).
They’ve been close for years, having come through Argentina’s youth setups together and often rooming together during national team camps.
Multiple sources describe them as best friends or “inseparable,” with public moments highlighting their bond:
Cuti Romero once called Lisandro his best friend, saying they’re “together all the time,” roommates, and talk about everything. He praised Lisandro’s journey and how he proved doubters wrong about his height.
They’ve shared lighthearted banter in interviews, like a viral clip where Cuti joked about others’ situations and Lisandro quipped “En tu casa estuve” (“I was at your house”), showing their easy, teasing camaraderie.
Post-tournament moments capture this too—like Lisandro posting “My little brother ” with a photo of them after a Copa América win, or Cuti sharing epic pics that drew playful “jealous” comments from mutual friend Nahuel Molina.
Even in club rivalries (Lisandro at Manchester United, Cuti at Tottenham), their friendship holds—though it can lead to intense on-pitch moments, like a brief clash in a Premier League match that sparked discussion but didn’t affect their off-field respect.
Their connection is often credited as a key factor in their excellent defensive understanding for Argentina, where they’ve formed a formidable duo (especially projected for future tournaments like the 2026 World Cup).
Media outlets have noted how human relationships like theirs matter in football, with one calling them protagonists of “The Centrales” in a nod to their chemistry.
They’re also part of a tight-knit group in the national team (including players like Nahuel Molina), often seen celebrating together after titles like the World Cup and Copa América. Fans and teammates alike highlight their mutual admiration, loyalty, and brotherly vibe.
