Manu Romero

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.

Club career As a youth player, Romero joined the youth academy of Spanish side CP Mijas-Las Lagunas. 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.

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".