Leandro Paredes admitted he is uncertain about continuing to play for the Argentina national team, while suggesting that Lionel Messi has decided to retire from international duty after the 2026 World Cup final.
Spain reached the pinnacle of world football for the second time after defeating Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey. Ferran Torres became the hero with the decisive goal in extra time, capping off a match in which the Matadors were rated higher in terms of game control.
Over the course of 120 minutes, Argentina managed only three shots on target and finished the match with 10 men. Enzo Fernandez was sent off after two unnecessary yellow cards. The disappointment of defeat alongside previous tense developments led to a brawl between players of both teams after the final whistle.
Leandro Paredes, who was brought on off the bench in the second half and had already received a yellow card, became the focal point of the incident. The Argentine midfielder was caught choking defender Eric Garcia before wrestling Gavi to the ground.
FIFA’s match commentary system initially confirmed that Paredes received a second yellow card for this action. However, FIFA later clarified that the information stemmed from an error and the decision to send him off was rescinded. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old still faces the risk of a three-match suspension for violent conduct if FIFA’s investigation reaches an adverse conclusion.
Three days after the final, Paredes spoke out about the defeat for the first time via a message posted on Instagram, where he has around 15 million followers. “THANK YOU ARGENTINA! I LOVE YOU, TODAY AND FOREVER,” Paredes wrote.
“Today, I write these lines with a heavy heart because we could not deliver the joy that our country so greatly deserves to receive. But my heart is also filled with pride because we gave everything we had and once again flew the Argentine flag with immense pride.
Thank you to everyone who stood by the national team, thank you to the group of players who gave their all to represent this shirt, fighting until the very last second in every single match. To be part of the greatest Argentina team in history is an honor for me.”
Paredes did not mention his post-match loss of composure in this message. However, the Boca Juniors midfielder later spoke candidly about the possibility of stepping away from the national team: “It was a wonderful journey. It will be very difficult to maintain this level and ensure the group continues operating the way it currently does. Decisions need to be made in a state of calm. I still don’t know if I have the physical condition to continue or not. This is something that takes time to digest and carefully consider,” he admitted.
Paredes has earned 84 caps for Argentina, including seven appearances at the 2026 World Cup. The grueling tournament, packed with physical and mental pressure, seems to have forced him to seriously consider his future.
Notably, Paredes also suggested that the final against Spain may have been the last time Lionel Messi played for the national team.
“That hurts us, because throughout the World Cup, we always said we didn’t want his final match to come. I think he has decided that this will be the last time he wears the national team shirt,” Paredes shared.
If he concludes his international journey alongside Messi following the defeat in New Jersey, Paredes will leave the Argentina national team with five goals since his debut in 2017, though his final image in the Albiceleste shirt may not be as pristine as the career the midfielder built.
