Lucas Romero, the tireless Argentine defensive midfielder, has been a cornerstone of Cruzeiro’s engine room since his emotional return to the Minas Gerais club in 2024. Born on April 18, 1994, in the working-class neighborhood of Loma Hermosa on the outskirts of Greater Buenos Aires, Romero carries in his blood the classic South American grit. Now 31 years old in 2025, he continues to display remarkable energy and leadership on the pitch, helping Cruzeiro fight for titles in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. His career—marked by loans, trophies, and admirable resilience—makes him an example of perseverance in the sport. In this article, we explore the life and journey of a player who, despite standing only 1.67 m (5’6″), more than compensates with tactical intelligence and total commitment.
Early Steps at Vélez Sarsfield
Lucas Romero’s football story began early, at age seven, when he joined the youth ranks of Vélez Sarsfield, one of Buenos Aires’ most traditional clubs. Growing up in modest circumstances, football was not just fun—it was a pathway to bigger dreams. His talent as a defensive midfielder quickly caught the eye of scouts, and he rose swiftly through the youth divisions.
His professional debut came in 2012, at 18, in a 0-0 draw against Estudiantes de La Plata. It was a quiet entrance as a substitute, but Romero soon became a mainstay. That same year, he helped Vélez win the Torneio Inicial, playing 13 matches and contributing to a solid campaign. The following season brought the 2012-13 Superfinal victory over Newell’s Old Boys and the 2013 Supercopa Argentina against Arsenal de Sarandí. In four seasons, he made 89 appearances for the first team, scoring two goals—modest attacking numbers, but outstanding in ball recovery and marking.
Romero was the kind of player coaches love: disciplined, with sharp game-reading and an ability to cover space that frustrated opponents. His departure from Vélez in 2016 to join Cruzeiro marked the end of a golden era but opened doors abroad. Transfermarkt records that move as a bold step for the 22-year-old betting on the competitive Brazilian league.
First Spell at Cruzeiro: Adaptation and Trophies
Arriving at Cruzeiro in 2016 was a challenge. Coming from a more technical Argentine game, Romero had to adjust to the physical pace and intensity of the Brasileirão. Under Mano Menezes, he debuted quickly and became an undisputed starter. Between 2016 and 2019, he played 115 Série A matches, scoring three goals, but his impact went far beyond statistics: he was the midfield “guard dog,” averaging 2.5 tackles per game and intercepting over 80% of long passes, according to FBref.
Those years in Belo Horizonte were glorious. Romero lifted two Copa do Brasil titles (2017 and 2018) and two Campeonato Mineiro titles (2018 and 2019). In the 2018 Copa do Brasil final against Corinthians, his marking of Rodriguinho was decisive in the 1-0 victory. “Lucas is the balance the team needs,” Mano Menezes praised at the time. In 2017, he played 29 Série A matches, scored twice, provided two assists, and helped Cruzeiro finish fifth.
Injuries and internal competition eventually led to his 2019 departure to Independiente—a bittersweet but necessary move to regain minutes and grow.
Time at Independiente and León
At Independiente, one of Argentina’s heavyweight clubs, Romero found a temporary home. He arrived in August 2019 and, despite a 3-0 debut loss to Estudiantes, quickly recovered. Over three seasons, he played 91 league matches and scored five goals—his best attacking return to date. He stood out in the 2020 Copa Sudamericana, reaching the semifinals and often wearing the captain’s armband.
His versatility allowed him to fill in at right-back in emergencies—a quality valued by coaches like Lucas Pusineri. WhoScored gave him an average rating of 6.8 as a central midfielder, highlighting aerial duels won (despite his height) and progressive passing.
In January 2023 came a radical change: a transfer to Club León in Mexico. Facing the high-intensity Liga MX, he played 32 matches without scoring but suffered a concussion in November 2023 against Santos Laguna that sidelined him for months, including the league quarter-finals. It was a tough period of physical and mental recovery, yet Romero returned stronger, proving his resilience.
The Emotional Return to Cruzeiro
2024 brought what many Cruzeiro fans had dreamed of: Lucas Romero’s return. He initially signed on loan in January but quickly became indispensable under Fernando Diniz and subsequent coaches. Wearing the number 29 shirt, he played 31 Série A matches in 2024, scored two goals, and delivered crucial assists in wins over rivals like Atlético-MG and Palmeiras.
What makes this return special is the connection. “It feels like I never left,” Romero said in an interview on the club’s official website. His partnerships with midfielders like Lucas Silva and Matheus Pereira reshaped the engine room, helping the team finish inside the G-6. FotMob gave him a season average rating of 7.18, with 12 yellow cards—proof of his intensity.
Argentina National Team Journey
Though he has shone at club level, Romero’s international career with Argentina has been brief. In 2013, at 19, he played four matches for the under-20s at the South American Championship (the team was eliminated in the group stage). Despite occasional call-ups for senior friendlies, he never debuted for the full Albiceleste—a gap that, at 31, seems unlikely to close with Lionel Scaloni’s midfield packed with stars like Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister.
Still, Romero carries pride: “Representing Argentina is every kid’s dream in Loma Hermosa,” he reflected in recent profiles.
Playing Style: Intelligence Over Brute Force
What defines Lucas Romero? Not explosive speed or long-range shots, but cunning. As a defensive midfielder, he is a master at reading the game, intercepting passes, and distributing short balls with precision (88% pass accuracy in 2025, per FBref). His short stature forces him to rely on impeccable positioning, and he rarely loses ground duels thanks to a battle-hardened low center of gravity.
Critics compare him to a young Javier Mascherano: combative yet elegant. In 2025 Cruzeiro, his 3.1 tackles per game rank him among the top 10 in Série A, while he also contributes to ball progression—rare for a purely defensive profile.
Achievements, Statistics, and Legacy
Across his career, Romero has collected respectable silverware:
- Vélez Sarsfield: Torneio Inicial 2012, Superfinal 2012-13, Supercopa Argentina 2013
- Cruzeiro: Copa do Brasil 2017 & 2018, Campeonato Mineiro 2018 & 2019
Up to November 2024, he has 430 club appearances and 12 goals, including 296 top-flight league games and nine goals.
In 2025 with Cruzeiro, he has played 33 Série A matches, scored one goal, provided three assists, and logged 2,832 minutes, helping the team secure third place. His market value hovers around €3 million (Transfermarkt), with his contract extended in June 2025 until the end of 2027.
Recent Highlights in 2025
2025 has been a year of consecration for Romero. In the Brasileirão, he was named to the Team of the Year and won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) as the league’s best defensive midfielder, beating out players like Gerson and Raphael Veiga. In June, he renewed until December 2027, signaling long-term commitment to Cruzeiro. In the Copa do Brasil, he played six matches and was key in the round-of-16 tie against Bahia.
Off the pitch, Romero supports social projects in Loma Hermosa, visiting youth football schools. Rumors of Sevilla interest in June were dismissed, with the player prioritizing stability in Minas Gerais. No serious injuries through December have kept him available for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores.
Conclusion: A Warrior Without Borders
Lucas Romero may not grace magazine covers, but he is the kind of player who wins gritty matches. His journey from Vélez to Cruzeiro—through ups and downs—inspires young athletes to persevere. At 31, with Brazilian football now his home, he proves that dedication and tactical nous outweigh the spotlight. Back at the club where his Brazilian chapter began anew, Romero keeps writing chapters of resilience. May more titles follow—and who knows, perhaps even a late Argentina call-up. The midfielder from Loma Hermosa deserves it.
