Leandro Paredes has admitted he may struggle to continue with Argentina after receiving a 10-match suspension and losing Lionel Messi from the national team.
The 32-year-old midfielder received the ban for his role in the post-match brawl that followed Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain. Paredes shoved Spain midfielder Gavi to the ground as Spanish substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate their victory.
Paredes also received a $90,000 fine, while Argentina teammate Nahuel Molina received a two-match ban and the same financial penalty.
The suspension has now forced Paredes to reconsider his international future. Messi’s decision to retire from Argentina duty has added another factor as the midfielder weighs his next move.
“It’s going to be difficult for me to stay with the national team,” Paredes told Argentine media.
“Because of the suspension as well, because of Leo’s decision … it’s going to be difficult for everything to carry on as before.”
Paredes has not yet discussed the situation with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni but expects to speak with him before making a decision.
“I haven’t discussed it with the coach yet, but we’ll talk about it and see what decision I make,” he said.
Messi’s departure has clearly affected Paredes, who played alongside the Argentina captain during the team’s successful run to the 2022 World Cup title.
Paredes said Messi’s absence would leave a major void and praised his former teammate’s contribution to Argentina.
“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.
Argentina’s players had already suspected that the 2026 World Cup final could mark Messi’s final appearance for the national team. Paredes said the squad had discussed the possibility during the tournament but still found the reality difficult to accept.
“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,” he added.
