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Leandro Paredes found himself cast as one of the central antagonists in Argentina's turbulent and dramatic World Cup campaign, which ended in a disappointing loss to Spain in the final.
La Roja claimed the championship for the second time courtesy of Ferran Torres's composed extra-time winner, having controlled a lopsided final that Argentina never truly competed in.
The defending champions had given everything to reach the final, with two of their knockout victories requiring extra time and others relying on stunning late comebacks. The win over England had been emotionally draining, and Argentina simply had no answer for Spain's fluid and cohesive brilliance when it mattered most.
The degree of their on-field aggression was somewhat exaggerated, even if several players should have been booked earlier than they were. Nevertheless, Argentina's behavior after the final whistle was undeniably unsavory, with Paredes at the center of the controversy.
Leandro Paredes Recognizes Spain's Superiority in World Cup Final
Paredes experienced a significant turnaround at this summer's World Cup. In Qatar, he had been phased out in favor of younger midfield options as the tournament progressed, but Lionel Scaloni recognized the composure he brought in possession during Argentina's title defense.
The 32-year-old was outstanding throughout the knockout rounds, all while managing a rib injury he picked up in the quarterfinal win over Egypt. That may explain why he was left out of the starting lineup for the final, only entering the pitch at the beginning of the second half.
He was booked almost instantly after clattering into Rodri and shoving Dani Olmo to the ground. He somehow avoided a red card before the final whistle and was initially thought to have been dismissed after the match for a confrontation with Eric García and Gavi during Spain's celebrations. FIFA later confirmed, however, that no formal disciplinary action was taken at that point.
Paredes has since returned to Boca Juniors and marked his comeback with a stunning 'trivela' assist in his first appearance.
He has since spoken publicly about Argentina's World Cup final defeat, acknowledging it will "hurt for a long time" while also recognizing Spain as the "rightful winners."
"It's going to take a long time to get over what we experienced," Paredes told ESPN (via Mundo Deportivo). "While we accomplished important things, losing the World Cup final is going to sting for a long time because we came so close once again.
"A lot was said before, during and after the World Cup. We had a strong tournament, but Spain was the better side in the final; they are worthy champions," he added.
Gavi Gives Verdict on Potential Suspension for Paredes
It was the Barcelona midfielder who Paredes awkwardly shoved to the ground after grabbing García by the throat. Despite this, Gavi does not believe the Argentine deserves to face punishment from FIFA for his conduct.
"I don't think [Paredes] should be suspended," the youngster told El Partidazo de COPE.
"I understand it doesn't set a good example for young fans, but I also think that side of football exists — the more physical, more combative element.
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"The most sensible outcome would have been a red card during the match, and that would have been the end of it. Ultimately, I think it's all part of football, and that's just how it goes."
Paredes himself has raised questions about his international future, stating that "this will be a moment to decide whether to continue [playing for Argentina]."