With the World Cup just months away, national teams are holding their breath, hoping their star players stay healthy for the tournament. For Lionel Messi's Argentina, that hope has taken a significant hit with a major injury scare to a key defender.

Cristian Romero, a stalwart in Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning defense, suffered a worrying knee injury while playing for Tottenham Hotspur. The center-back was visibly emotional as he left the pitch, and reports suggest he could face up to eight weeks on the sidelines.

This timing is a nightmare for both club and country. Tottenham loses a defensive pillar in a critical relegation battle, while Argentina faces the prospect of entering its title defense without a fully-fit Romero. While a late recovery is mathematically possible, regaining peak match fitness in time would be a huge challenge.

Romero was expected to once again partner Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of Argentina's defense, providing crucial stability. His potential absence forces manager Lionel Scaloni to consider his options. Leonardo Balerdi of Marseille, who has earned minutes in recent squads, is the leading candidate to step in, with Bournemouth's left-footed Marco Senesi also in the conversation.

For Argentina fans and players alike, it's a tense waiting game. The fitness of one key man could dramatically reshape the team's preparations as they aim to defend their crown on the world's biggest stage.