Cristian Romero has made a dramatic return to London after facing fierce backlash over his decision to fly to Argentina ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's biggest game of the season.
The Spurs captain had come under heavy fire after choosing to miss the club's crucial clash with Everton in order to travel home and watch boyhood club Club Atlético Belgrano in their Championship final against River Plate.
Romero had been expected to attend Sunday's final with the Argentine side's delegation.
The defender travelled back to South America earlier this week after being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury sustained against Sunderland in April.
His absence sparked outrage among supporters and pundits alike as Tottenham's Premier League survival hangs in the balance.
Spurs' defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge means their fate will now be decided on the final day of the season.
But in a dramatic twist, Romero was spotted back in London on Saturday and now appears set to attend Sunday's showdown against Everton instead of Belgrano's title decider.
Cristian Romero has made a dramatic return to London after facing fierce backlash over his decision to fly to Argentina ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's biggest game of the season
|GETTY
The 28-year-old shared a photo on Instagram showing himself getting a haircut alongside his son in East Finchley following days of mounting criticism.
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi defended Romero on Friday and insisted the Argentina trip had been approved by the club's medical staff.
"He spoke with the medical staff," De Zerbi said.
Cristian Romero has been spotted back in London ahead of Tottenham's big fixture with Everton
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Tottenham face Everton in their final Premier League game of the season
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"Together, they decided to go to Argentina to complete rehab with Argentinian medical staff."
The Italian also rejected suggestions Romero had put himself ahead of the club.
"I want to be clear, I am not stupid," he said. "If I understand that there is a player who thinks for himself before the club, I cannot be the same Roberto.
"With Romero, I can't say nothing. With me, in my time, he has been correct at the beginning until now."
De Zerbi admitted he understood why supporters were angry but maintained his belief in the defender's character.
"Cristian is a top player and with me, he was a top guy," he added.
Cristian Romero has been a divisive figure at Tottenham this season
| GETTYNot everyone agreed, however.
Former Tottenham midfielder Glenn Hoddle launched a blistering attack on Romero and branded the situation "scandalous".
"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Hoddle said.
"The captain of the football club has gone to Argentina to watch a game back there that is so-called more important than Tottenham's last game of the season with the club on the brink of going down.
"He's captain of the football club. It's scandalous."
Hoddle even suggested Spurs should consider selling Romero after the controversy.