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Leandro Paredes Says Continuing with Argentina Looks Difficult After Messi Exit

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Leandro Paredes said it would be difficult for him to continue with Argentina after Lionel Messi announced he would leave the national team.
  • Paredes is also considering a 10-match FIFA suspension and a $90,000 fine imposed after incidents following the 2026 World Cup final.
  • The 32-year-old midfielder has made 84 appearances for Argentina and said the team would struggle to maintain its recent level without Messi.

Leandro Paredes has raised the possibility of leaving Argentina’s national team, one day after Lionel Messi announced that he would not continue with the squad.

“It's going to be difficult for me to continue. For all of these reasons, because of the suspension and Leo's decision,” Paredes told reporters on Sept. 1 from Boca Juniors’ training complex. He said Messi’s absence would make it difficult for everything to continue working in the same way and added that he would discuss the matter with coach Lionel Scaloni.

It's going to be difficult for me to continue. For all of these reasons, because of the suspension and Leo's decision.

— Leandro ParedesHe explained why he was considering his future with Argentina after Messi’s departure announcement and his FIFA suspension.

Paredes, 32, has been part of Argentina’s national team since 2021. During that period, Argentina won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 World Cup, and the Finalissima in 2022. The team also finished as runner-up in 2026.

“We set the bar very high. Continuing to compete at that level and achieve important things will be difficult,” he said.

FIFA suspended Paredes for 10 matches and fined him $90,000 on Aug. 21 after reviewing incidents at the end of the World Cup final. Spain won the match in extra time through a Ferran Torres goal. Paredes brought down Eric García and Pablo Gavira, known as Gavi, after Nahuel Molina assaulted Rodrigo Hernández.

His absence will make it difficult for everything to continue working in the same way.

— Leandro ParedesHe described the effect Messi’s departure could have on the national team.

FIFA also sanctioned others involved in the altercation. Molina received a seven-match suspension, Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was banned for three matches, and Almada and Spain’s Gavi received one-match suspensions. FIFA later confirmed that the sanctions could also be served in friendly matches.

Paredes reached 84 appearances for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. Transfermarkt records show that he has scored five goals and provided seven assists for the national team.

We set the bar very high. Continuing to compete at that level and achieve important things will be difficult.

— Leandro ParedesHe reflected on Argentina’s recent run of major tournament results.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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