Manu Romero

Manu Romero
Personal information
Full name Manuel Romero Santiago
Date of birth (2009-04-09) April 9, 2009
Place of birth Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Real Madrid
Youth career
2014–2015 CP Mijas-Las Lagunas
2015–2021 Málaga
2021– Real Madrid
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023 Uruguay U15 2 (0)
2023–2025 United States U15 5 (1)
2025– United States U17 2 (0)
‡ National team caps and goals as of October 14, 2025

Manuel Romero Santiago (born April 9, 2009) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Real Madrid.

Early life

Romero was born on April 9, 2009, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. He is the son of Uruguay international Marcelo Romero.[1]

Club career

As a youth player, Romero joined the youth academy of Spanish side CP Mijas-Las Lagunas.[2] Following his stint there, he joined the youth academy of Spanish side Málaga CF in 2015.

During the summer of 2021, he joined the youth academy of Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid CF.[3]

International career

Romero is a Uruguay and United States youth international. On October 14, 2025, he debuted for the United States men's national under-17 soccer team during a 2–0 friendly away win over the Northern Ireland national under-17 football team.

Style of play

Romero plays as a defender. American news website US Soccer Collective wrote in 2025 that he "is a dynamic wide player with a lethal left foot, combining final-third instincts, one-on-one creativity, and impressive composure under pressure".[4]

References

  1. ^ "Hijo de futbolista, perla de la cantera madridista'... y otro 'español' que vuela a Uruguay" [Son of a footballer, a pearl of the Real Madrid youth academy... and another 'Spaniard' who flies to Uruguay] (in Spanish). Marca. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Manu". Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  3. ^ Manu Romero at WorldFootball.net
  4. ^ "Top 20 USMNT prospects born in 2009". US Soccer Collective. Retrieved 26 October 2025.