Players Similar to Maximiliano Romero — 5 Comparable Forwards (2026)

Why look at similar players to Maximiliano Romero

Maximiliano Romero, born January 9, 1999, is an Argentine forward currently playing for Argentinos Juniors, on loan from Racing Club [1]. Standing at 1.79 meters, his primary role is often as a central striker, though he has also featured as a secondary forward [2]. His defining traits include a notable physical presence for his height, intelligent movement off the ball, and an ability to finish chances inside the box. Romero's style is often characterized by his willingness to engage defenders, hold up play, and his predatory instinct for goal-scoring opportunities, rather than extensive dribbling or playmaking from deeper areas.

When fans, scouts, and analysts seek comparable players to Maximiliano Romero, they typically look for forwards who exhibit similar attributes. This includes players with a strong presence in the penalty area, capable of scoring a variety of goals, and who contribute to the team's attacking phases through their positioning and finishing. Key characteristics often considered are:

• Goal Poaching Ability: A knack for being in the right place at the right time to convert chances.
• Physicality and Hold-up Play: The capacity to battle defenders, win aerial duels, and link up with midfielders.
• Off-the-Ball Movement: Intelligent runs to create space for themselves or teammates.
• Work Rate: Contribution to pressing or tracking back, particularly in the final third.
• Versatility (limited): While predominantly a striker, some flexibility to play in a two-striker system or as an attacking midfielder is a plus.

Given his development path and playing style, comparisons often gravitate towards other South American forwards who possess a blend of technical skill and a direct approach to goal, or European strikers known for their effectiveness within the 18-yard box.

Similar players ranked

1. 1. Sebastián Driussi — Versatile Argentine Forward

   Sebastián Driussi, born in 1996, is an Argentine forward who currently plays for Austin FC in Major League Soccer [3]. Like Romero, Driussi began his career in Argentina, emerging from River Plate's academy. He shares Romero's directness in front of goal and his ability to operate as a central striker. Driussi is also known for his intelligent movement and capability to finish from various situations within the box, echoing Romero's poaching instincts. Both players demonstrate a strong work rate and an eagerness to contribute defensively from the front.

   Where they differ significantly is in their versatility and playmaking. Driussi, particularly in recent years, has evolved into a more dynamic attacking midfielder or second striker, often dropping deeper to link play and create opportunities for others [4]. He possesses better dribbling skills and a more expansive passing range than Romero, who tends to be more focused on occupying central defensive areas and converting chances. Driussi's ability to carry the ball and initiate attacks from deeper positions gives him a broader offensive toolkit.

2. 2. Ignacio Pussetto — Dynamic Argentine Winger/Forward

   Ignacio Pussetto, born in 1995, is another Argentine forward, currently with Huracán on loan from Udinese [5]. Pussetto shares Romero's tenacious work ethic and a desire to get involved in goal-scoring situations. Both players possess good off-the-ball movement, finding pockets of space in congested penalty areas. Pussetto also shows a similar physical approach, willing to compete for the ball and hold off defenders, making him a nuisance for opposition backlines. His adaptability to play across the front line, much like Romero's occasional flexibility, provides a point of comparison.

   However, Pussetto's natural position and primary strengths lean more towards being an inverted winger or a wide forward. He thrives on dribbling past defenders, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot, and delivering crosses or shots [6]. While he can play centrally, his game relies more on pace and direct runs from wider areas, whereas Romero is more traditionally a central presence whose impact is predominantly within the 18-yard box. Pussetto's higher volume of dribbles and crosses distinguishes his attacking profile from Romero's more focused central striker role.

3. 3. Lucas Alario — Archetypal Argentine Poacher

   Lucas Alario, born in 1992, is an Argentine striker playing for Internacional [7]. Alario represents one of the closest positional and stylistic comparisons to Maximiliano Romero among Argentine forwards. Both players are classic penalty box strikers, known for their excellent positioning, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing. Alario, like Romero, possesses a good aerial threat and a strong physical presence that allows him to hold up play and act as a focal point for attacks. His predatory instincts and consistency in converting chances are hallmarks of his game, mirroring the qualities Romero aims to consistently display.

   The primary difference lies in their respective career trajectories and current levels of proven output. Alario has enjoyed a more established career at the top level, featuring prominently in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and consistently scoring goals in South American competitions [8]. He has a more refined technique in front of goal and a greater track record of converting high-pressure chances. While Romero shows similar attributes, Alario's experience and consistent goal-scoring record at a higher level mark him as a more accomplished version of the archetypal poacher, a standard Romero aspires to reach.

4. 4. Rafael Santos Borré — High-Energy Colombian Forward

   Rafael Santos Borré, born in 1995, is a Colombian international forward currently playing for Internacional [9]. Borré shares Maximiliano Romero's exceptional work rate, relentless pressing, and a strong desire to win the ball back in advanced areas. Both players are known for their tireless movement, creating difficulties for opposition defenders and generating chances through their persistent efforts. Borré, like Romero, can operate as a central striker and demonstrates good instinct for being in scoring positions within the box.

   Their main difference lies in their overall contribution to team play and technical versatility. Borré is often lauded for his link-up play, his ability to drop deep and combine with midfielders, and his capacity to create opportunities for others in addition to scoring [10]. He possesses a slightly more refined technical base, particularly in his passing and short-range dribbling, which allows him to be more involved in the build-up phase. While Romero is a strong finisher, Borré's all-around offensive contribution, especially his pressing and creative output, makes him a more complete modern forward.

5. 5. Erling Haaland — Elite-Level Striker with Physicality

   Erling Haaland, born in 2000, is a Norwegian international who plays as a striker for Manchester City [11]. While a comparison to Haaland might seem ambitious given his elite status, there are fundamental stylistic overlaps with Maximiliano Romero. Both players are primarily central strikers known for their physical prowess, excellent off-the-ball movement, and lethal finishing ability inside the penalty box. Haaland, like Romero, relies heavily on his positioning and power to create and convert chances, rather than intricate dribbling or deep playmaking.

   The differences, however, are substantial and reflect the gap between a promising talent and a world-class phenomenon. Haaland possesses elite-level speed, strength, and an almost unparalleled ability to score goals at an extraordinary rate in top European leagues [12]. His decision-making and consistency in front of goal are far more developed. While Romero exhibits similar raw attributes, Haaland has honed these into a devastating offensive package that consistently breaks records. Romero's physicality and finishing are strengths, but Haaland operates on an entirely different plane of effectiveness, efficiency, and athletic dominance.

Side-by-side comparison

Player	Position	Age (2026-05-21)	Current Club	International Caps	Notable Trait
Maximiliano Romero	Forward	27	Argentinos Juniors	0 (Argentina U20: 17)	Penalty box poacher, physical presence
Sebastián Driussi	Forward/Attacking Midfielder	30	Austin FC	0 (Argentina U20: 13)	Versatile, link-up play, goal threat
Ignacio Pussetto	Winger/Forward	30	Huracán	0	Dynamic dribbler, high work rate
Lucas Alario	Striker	33	Internacional	9 (Argentina Senior)	Clinical finisher, aerial threat
Rafael Santos Borré	Forward	30	Internacional	32 (Colombia Senior)	Relentless presser, all-round contribution
Erling Haaland	Striker	25	Manchester City	36 (Norway Senior)	Elite goal scorer, explosive physicality

How to pick the right comparison

When selecting a comparable player to Maximiliano Romero, it's crucial to define what specific attributes or roles you prioritize. Romero's game centers on his presence in the box, his ability to finish chances, and his physical contribution. Therefore, different comparisons will highlight different facets of this profile:

• If you value pure goal-poaching and penalty box presence: Consider Lucas Alario. Alario epitomizes the traditional number nine, with excellent positioning and a proven track record of converting chances from inside the 18-yard box. His game is less about intricate build-up and more about decisive actions in front of goal, making him a very direct comparison for Romero's primary strengths.

• If you prioritize work rate, pressing, and an all-around attacking contribution: Look at Rafael Santos Borré. Borré brings a tireless energy to the front line, consistently harassing defenders and contributing to the team's defensive efforts high up the pitch. While still a goal threat, his game encompasses more off-the-ball effort and a willingness to facilitate play for others, which can be an added dimension beyond Romero's typical role.

• If you seek a player with similar Argentine academy roots who developed more versatility: Sebastián Driussi is a strong candidate. Driussi, like Romero, started as a central forward but has adapted his game to play in various attacking roles, including as a secondary striker or attacking midfielder. His ability to link play and dribble in tighter spaces offers a broader offensive skill set that Romero might aspire to develop.

• If you are interested in a dynamic forward with pace and dribbling ability from wider areas: Ignacio Pussetto provides a comparison. While Pussetto can play centrally, his effectiveness often comes from running at defenders from the wings, using his acceleration and dribbling to create shooting or crossing opportunities. This contrasts with Romero's more fixed central role but highlights a different approach to attacking.

• If you want to compare raw physical and finishing potential at an elite level: While a significant leap, Erling Haaland offers a benchmark for physical dominance and clinical finishing for a central striker. If one considers Romero's foundational traits of strength and goal instinct, Haaland represents the pinnacle of how those attributes can be developed and applied at the highest tier of football.

Why Maximiliano Romero comparisons matter

Player comparisons, especially for developing talents like Maximiliano Romero, serve multiple crucial purposes for scouts, fans, and journalists. For scouts and technical directors, drawing parallels helps in assessing potential, understanding a player's ceiling, and identifying suitable tactical fits within a squad. By comparing Romero to established forwards like Lucas Alario, clubs can project whether he has the attributes to succeed in similar systems or leagues, and what areas of his game require further development [13].

For fans and journalists, these comparisons provide a framework for discussion and analysis. They help to contextualize a player's performance, gauge expectations, and offer a narrative for their career trajectory. When Romero is likened to a player like Sebastián Driussi, it helps illustrate his potential evolution beyond a pure striker role, hinting at possible shifts in his playing style or versatility.

Moreover, comparisons are vital in the transfer market, where clubs often look for 'like-for-like' replacements or players who fit a specific profile. Understanding Romero's comparable players helps articulate his market value and suitability for different teams. Ultimately, these analogies act as shorthand for communicating complex player attributes and potential. As former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger once stated:

"You always compare players because you try to find similarities. It helps you to understand the potential and what kind of player you have."