Leandro Paredes hints at Argentina retirement after final

Leandro Paredes has said he is uncertain about his international future after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, admitting the loss will take time to process and suggesting several members of the squad face major decisions.

Paredes opens up on Argentina future

Speaking after Boca Juniors’ win over O’Higgins, the 32-year-old was asked about the future of key figures around the national team setup, including Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni. In his response, Paredes made clear that the uncertainty extends to his own position as well.

He said he does not know whether he will continue playing for Argentina and described it as a process that requires time, reflection and discussion rather than a rushed decision. Paredes also acknowledged how difficult it would be to carry on with the group in the immediate aftermath of such a painful defeat.

The midfielder also accepted that Spain were the deserved winners of the final, saying Argentina must recognise the quality of the opposition while also taking pride in what the team has achieved over a longer period.

Final controversy deepened the scrutiny

Paredes’ comments come only days after a highly controversial end to the final. The Boca Juniors midfielder had already been booked shortly after coming on and was fortunate to remain on the pitch until the end of the match.

After the final whistle, however, the situation escalated further. Paredes was sent off by referee Slavko Vincic following an altercation involving Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi. The incident added another layer of criticism to an already bitter night for Argentina.

In the days after the defeat, Paredes addressed supporters on social media to apologise for Argentina’s failure to deliver the title. Notably, he did not refer to his own conduct after the match in that message.

A decorated international career now in doubt

Paredes has been a familiar figure in the Argentina setup for years and was part of the squad that won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Across his international career, he has made 84 appearances, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.

At club level, he has represented Boca Juniors as well as Roma, Zenit St Petersburg, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. That experience has made him one of the more established members of Argentina’s squad, which is why his latest remarks carry added weight.

For now, there is no final decision. But Paredes’ words underline the emotional toll of the defeat to Spain and raise a genuine question over whether his time with the national team is nearing its end.