Argentina ace at centre of World Cup drama may not play for them again | Football | Sport

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes hit headlines for the wrong reasons after Lionel Scaloni’s team lost the World Cup final to Spain. The 32-year-old escaped a red card for his part in a post-match brawl after the extra-time defeat but it might not matter, with Paredes’ international future in doubt. He came off the bench in the 2022 final before scoring in the penalty shoot-out victory over France and also came off the bench against Spain in New Jersey. A repeat in 2030 might not happen, though, with the Boca Juniors star weighing up his options.

“For many, it will be a decision whether to continue or not,” Paredes told ESPN. “It was a spectacular process. It will be very difficult to maintain this level and keep the group functioning in this way. You have to think, take stock, and talk to the coach. Decisions must be made calmly. I don’t know if I’m going to go on. I think it’s going to be a long process to overcome what we experienced.”

The World Cup final was international cap number 84 for the Buenos Aires-born star, nearly a decade on from his first. However, it ended acrimoniously as he clashed with opponents including Eric Garcia and Gavi after the final whistle.

Paredes’ colleague Enzo Fernandez had earlier been sent off for a second bookable offence. It meant the Albiceleste had to play extra-time a goal down and they were beaten 1-0 after a Ferran Torres strike.

“They’re very competitive and I love that element of them, but [Paredes] has just been a disgrace for the last couple of games, and why the referees have allowed him to continue doing what he is doing…” ITV pundit Gary Neville said. There was also criticism during the BBC’s coverage, where Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney were on punditry duty.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to look into events after the final whistle. Paredes received no immediate punishment, though, and has even returned to club action ahead of time.

Reflecting further on his team’s defeat, the midfielder hinted a time of reflection was on the cards. “Although we achieved a lot, the pain of losing the final is going to hurt for a long time, because we were very close again,” Paredes added.

“But we have to enjoy it because it’s not easy to maintain the level we had for so long to achieve what we did. Although we lost the final, I think we had a World Cup where the people saw themselves reflected, and for us that is very gratifying.”