Paredes Casts Doubt on Argentina Future After Ban

Leandro Paredes, the seasoned Argentine midfielder, has openly questioned whether he can continue representing his nation after being handed a 10-match suspension by FIFA. The ban stems from a heated altercation that followed Argentina's narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, where Paredes was seen grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the turf.

The 32-year-old Boca Juniors star, speaking to reporters, acknowledged that the path back to the Albiceleste is fraught with obstacles. 'It's going to be difficult for me to stay with the national team,' Paredes admitted, citing not only the lengthy suspension but also the recent retirement of his longtime captain, Lionel Messi, as factors weighing heavily on his decision.

Messi's departure from international football, announced just days after the final, has left a void that Paredes finds particularly hard to fill. 'We'd spoken about how the final would surely be his last match, but even so, we weren't prepared for that,' he reflected, praising Messi's legacy of resilience and dream-chasing that inspired a generation.

Paredes has yet to discuss his future with coach Lionel Scaloni, leaving the door open for a possible return. Yet, with the emotional weight of the ban and the loss of his mentor, the midfielder's international career now hangs in the balance, casting a shadow over Argentina's rebuilding process as they look toward the next cycle.