Leandro Paredes hints at retirement following FIFA suspension
Leandro Paredes has strongly suggested he may never pull on an Argentina shirt again after FIFA imposed a 10-match suspension on the Boca Juniors midfielder, reports BritPanorama.
The 32-year-old was punished for his role in an ugly confrontation with Spanish players following Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Paredes was caught on camera forcefully pushing Spain substitute Gavi to the ground at the final whistle, an incident that led to FIFA levelling three separate assault charges against him. The ban was confirmed in August.
His potential departure from the international scene follows closely behind Lionel Messi’s emotional announcement last month that he was stepping away from Argentina duty permanently, with his final cap coming in that same final. Alongside Paredes, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was also sanctioned, receiving a seven-match suspension and an identical £66,000 fine. Molina faced two assault charges from FIFA’s disciplinary committee, compared to the three brought against Paredes.
The Argentine Football Association subsequently lodged an appeal to lessen the practical impact of Paredes’ punishment. FIFA accepted the request, permitting the suspension to be served across Class A friendlies in addition to competitive fixtures. Despite this concession, Paredes has indicated he does not intend to sit through the lengthy ban and took issue with the severity of the sanction, describing it as “excessive.” He questioned why Gavi received only a minor suspension despite, according to Paredes, striking him in the chest. The midfielder stated that his representatives would explore whether the punishment could be further reduced.
Speaking to Argentine media on Tuesday, Paredes laid out the factors weighing on his mind. “It’s going to be difficult for me to stay with the national team,” he admitted. “Because of the suspension as well, because of Leo’s decision. It’s going to be difficult for everything to carry on as before.” The midfielder, who has earned 84 caps since making his international debut in 2017, confirmed he has yet to raise the matter with head coach Lionel Scaloni. “I haven’t discussed it with the coach yet, but we’ll talk and see what decision I make,” he said.
Messi’s departure clearly looms large over Paredes’ thinking. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed his retirement from international football last month in a lengthy Instagram statement. Paredes spoke warmly of his former teammate’s contribution to Argentine football. “Leo’s legacy will live on forever because of what he achieved, for never giving up and for showing that dreams are hard-won, pursued and, in the end, fulfilled,” he said.
He revealed the squad had anticipated Messi’s decision before it was made public. “We’d spoken in the final days of the World Cup about how the final would surely be his last match, but even so, we weren’t prepared for that because of what he means to us,” Paredes added. Messi bowed out with 207 caps and 125 goals across more than two decades of international service.
Should Paredes follow him into retirement, he would leave the national team as a 2022 World Cup winner in Qatar and a two-time Copa America champion.
