Romero, 28, has been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last month and has played no part in the final weeks of the season. He remained with the Spurs squad in a support capacity up until this week, attending training and remaining close to head coach Roberto De Zerbi's group, but posted on social media a picture of himself on a private jet with his family bound for Córdoba, where he was born and where Belgrano are based.
Belgrano president Luis Artime confirmed Romero would attend the final as part of the club's official delegation after they beat Argentinos Juniors on penalties in the semi-final on Sunday. Artime also said he had spoken to Romero and granted him access to the club's training facilities for his continued rehabilitation from injury.
Romero came through Belgrano's youth academy before leaving for Genoa in 2019. The final against River Plate represents the biggest moment in the Córdoba club's 121-year history, as they chase a title they have never won.
The timing of his departure has raised eyebrows. Spurs go into Sunday needing a result against Everton to be certain of avoiding relegation for the first time since 1977. A defeat, combined with West Ham beating Leeds United, would send Tottenham down. The mathematics are tight but the stakes could hardly be higher.
Romero's absence also carries a different dimension. He is desperate to prove his fitness to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni in time to defend the World Cup title next month, and the access to Belgrano's facilities as part of his rehabilitation is a practical benefit of the trip beyond the personal significance.
Tottenham did not comment on his potential absence when approached. De Zerbi, who holds his pre-Everton press conference today, has consistently spoken warmly of Romero throughout the season and said last month that he hoped to have the captain available for the latter stages of the campaign.