Cristian Romero will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury, and his World Cup hopes are also in doubt, talkSPORT understands.
The Tottenham Hotspur captain suffered a partial tear of the medial cruciate ligament injuryduring his team's1-0 loss toSunderlandon Sunday.
Cristian Romero looks emotional during Tottenham's defeat at Sunderland
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Romero will be unavailable to help Spurs in their survival bid for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
Romero left the pitch in tears on Sunday after injuring his knee in a freak collision with his Spurs teammate, goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
It was not immediately clear what the nature of the issue was, but the 27-year-old was unable to play on and was visibly distressed as he made his way to the sidelines.
While he did not require a stretcher, Romero could not hide his despair as he was seen crying as he limped off.
After the match, Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi revealed the club were yet to discover the seriousness of the injury, but confirmed it could be a knee issue.
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Asked about it in his post-match press conference, the Italian said: “We don't know yet, we have to see in the next game, in the next days.
"I hope for us it's not too important problem, because he's a crucial player for us, he's a good guy, good player, top player, big personality and we need him to finish the season and to achieve our goal.”
Asked if it was an issue with his knee, De Zerbi added: “Maybe, yes, but I don't want to say anything, because I don't know.”
However, with Romero now out for a sustained period of time, he will miss the rest of the Premier League season which concludes on May 24.
World Cup fears
Worse still for Romero, he now faces a race against time to be fit in time for this summer's World Cup.
The defender is a key part of Argentina's squad that will head to the USA, Canada and Mexico as defending champions.
Cristian Romero collides with Antonin Kinsky
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Romero was forced off the pitch after Sunderland's Brian Bobbey shoved him into Antonin KinskyCredit: AFP
Cristian Romero and Antonin Kinsky on the ground against Sunderland
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The Spurs captain and teammate Kinsky both required treatment after they collided against SunderlandCredit: Getty
Lionel Scaloni's side are set to kick off their trophy defence on June 16 against Algeria, but it remains to be seen if Romero will play any part.
Many assumed his tearful exit from the pitch against Sunderland were in response to Tottenham's worsening relegation fears.
The damaging loss left Spurs 18th in thePremier League, two points adrift of safety with six matches left to play.
However, before the full extent of his injury was revealed, former midfielder Danny Murphy admitted Romero had likely been emotional due to fears he could miss the World Cup.
Speaking on talkSPORT's White and Jordan, Murphy said: "I think his tears were probably because he thinks he'll miss the World Cup.
"I know that sounds a bit cynical, but…"
Romero was consoled by his teammates as he left the pitch on Sunday
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Romero was consoled by his teammates as he left the pitch on SundayCredit: Getty
Cristian Romero after winning the 2022 World Cup
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Romero started six out of seven matches at the 2022 World Cup as Argentina were crowned championsCredit: Getty
He continued: “Why are you crying if you've just got a knock?
“I mean, it did look a naughty one [the collision]. I think he thinks he's done his knee, I think he knows.
“You know as a player when you've got a bad one and I think the tears were: ‘I'm going to miss the World Cup’.
“I'm not saying he doesn't care about Tottenham, but what I mean is, that wasn't: ‘Oh, I'm leaving the pitch and we'll lose’.”
Romero has sparked controversy in recent weeks, after rumours of a potential summer exit from Tottenham were fuelled when his father publicly addressed his future and revealed his Spurs release clause.
Tottenham's run-in without Romero
Romero has made 32 appearances for Tottenham this season, including 23 in the Premier League.
Kevin Danso (left) and Micky van de Ven leave the pitch after the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light
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Morale is already low at Tottenham after they slipped into the relegation zone over the weekendCredit: PA
However, Spurs must now prepare for a crucial period of the season without their captain, as they fight to secure their top-flight status.
In a make or break six-game run-in, the north Londoners host new manager De Zerbi's former club Brighton on Saturday.
A battle with bottom club Wolves comes after this, before the north Londoners face Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa.
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Spurs host Leeds on 11 May in what could be an important game in the fight for survival, before two tricky final games against Chelsea and Everton.
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