In 2018, it was Hugo Lloris who skippered France to glory, while four years later, Cristian Romero was part of the Argentina side that bettered Lloris and co in that Qatar epic.
Now, it's Romero's turn to try to defend the title, with Lionel Messi's side taking on Pedro Porro's Spain in a meeting of the reigning South American and European champions.
Porro, having signed a new long-term deal in north London, is very much here to stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although as for the skipper, a summer exit appears the only logical outcome.
Why Spurs need to finally sell Cristian Romero this summer
As an emotional Romero trudged off injured against Sunderland at the tail-end of last season, a cynic might suggest his more pressing concern was whether he would miss the World Cup, rather than being absent for the run-in.
Either way, the Lilywhites did go on to secure survival without their captain, winning three of the last six Premier League games, while drawing twice.
That improved run of form showcased that perhaps Spurs are better off without a player who dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2025/26, memorably sent off away at Old Trafford to help plunge Thomas Frank deeper into the mire.
Such a dismal disciplinary record has surely made the 28-year-old's role as captain untenable, far too often teetering toward liability territory in recent years.
Yes, as he memorably showed in the Europa League final win last year, Romero can step up and lead by example when needed, albeit with such performances typically reserved for club rather than country.
With the likes of Atletico Madrid now circling, it does feel like we've reached the end of the road here, particularly with replacements already in the building in the form of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke.
Spurs, now led by De Zerbi, need to put these years of turmoil behind them, with there no better way to do that than by replacing the skipper.
Spurs' prime candidate to replace Romero as captain next season
The obvious man for the job might well be Micky van de Ven, albeit with there having been some uncertainty over the Dutchman's own future of late.
Equally, too, the 25-year-old was rash and reckless himself in 2025/26, notably picking up a costly red card against Crystal Palace, with a wiser head perhaps needed to steer this new-look side to calmer waters.
There are certainly options for De Zerbi to look to, with Conor Gallagher previously captaining Chelsea in 2023/24, while Andy Robertson remains the man with the armband for Scotland.
And yet, the prime candidate who "should be Tottenham's club captain" next season, as per Mitch Fretton, is James Maddison, the 29-year-old such a statesmanlike figure at N17.
Of course, Maddison's priority is to get back fit and firing again, with there a frustration that the Englishman has been seen more regularly in interviews than on the pitch over the last 12 months or so.
Even when sidelined, however, he is a real spokesman for this team and this club, a charismatic, engaging figure who both players and supporters alike would surely get behind.
Already part of the leadership group, 'Madders' appears the perfect choice as he enters a fourth season at the club, with it easy to forget just how influential he was before injury curtailed his progress.
Predicted Spurs XI - 26/27
Position
Player
|
GK
|
Kinsky
|
|
RB
|
Porro
|
|
CB
|
Ven Hecke
|
|
CB
|
Van de Ven
|
|
LB
|
Udogie
|
|
DM
|
Tonali
|
|
DM
|
Fernandes
|
|
RW
|
Kudus
|
|
AM
|
Maddison
|
|
LW
|
Savinho*
|
|
ST
|
Solanke
|
*If signed
In just 78 games for the Lilywhites since his £40m arrival, he's already up to 37 goals and assists, notably ending the 2024/25 campaign with 16 goals and assists from just 21 league starts.
The former Leicester City man is the player who makes things tick when at his best, the tempo setter be it in a deep-lying role or in his favoured number ten berth.
There will, undoubtedly, be competition for places next term following the marquee signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, but there's still likely to be a third midfield role up for grabs.
Even if Maddison isn't a regular starter, he still warrants club captaincy regardless, having shown last term just what an asset he is when injured. Indeed, his place on the bench, even when not fully fit, showed how much this team needs him.
And so, if Romero, as is expected, is to fly off to pastures new after the World Cup ends, De Zerbi already has the perfect replacement as captain ready and waiting.
1 week ago
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