Although the Spaniards are taking it with humor, as Lamine Yamal did while adding some fuel to the fire during the championship parade, Gavi has now set the record straight with a conscious message about his skirmish with Paredes and other Argentines after Spain won the 2026 World Cup.

“No, no, if I’m being honest I do not think [Paredes and the Argentine players involved in the brawl] should be suspended,” Gavi admitted to reporters back in his hometown of Los Palacios in Spain.

“I understand it doesn’t set the best example for children, but football has always had a more aggressive and intense side. For me, the most logic thing would have been to send [Paredes] off, and that should’ve been the end of it.” Even in victory, Gavi was very respectful, just as he was with his ultimate message of respect for Lionel Messi.

Paredes has yet to comment

Although he did take to social media after the 2026 World Cup final, Paredes hasn’t spoken about the hot topic regarding the postgame incident with Eric Garcia and Gavi. At this point, it’s safe to assume Paredes won’t mention it, not while the wound is still so fresh and open for Argentina.

Moreover, even though FIFA has reportedly made a decision on Paredes’ conduct, it’s possible that anything the Argentine midfielder comments could come back to bite him.

In pure Miranda Warning fashion, anything Paredes might say could be used against him. Perhaps, the better option is to stay silent and let the days go by. Maybe Gavi, Spain, and fans will forget or let it go, though it seems unlikely.

No red card for Paredes

Although initial reports indicated referee Slavko Vincic showed Paredes a red card after the final whistle—which is possible under the Laws of the Game—that has now been confirmed to be untrue. Thus, Paredes has gotten away with the ugly postgame fight.

As a result, he will not go through the trouble players face after receiving a red card at a World Cup. Paredes will receive no suspension or disciplinary sanction and is eligible to play for Argentina in upcoming fixtures.

Gavi may not agree with the decision, but he has bigger fish to fry and celebrations to attend as Spain celebrate their second World Cup.

Despite initial reports indicating Paredes received a red card during the melee, BBC‘s Dale Johnson clarified that FIFA reported that the issued red card by referee Slavko Vincic was rescinded, noting the entry was simply an administrative glitch on the official match feed that was subsequently deleted. Gavi isn’t upset about the lack of a red card for Paredes though.

As a result, Paredes will face no automated suspension or disciplinary sanction, keeping him clear and eligible for Argentina when international play resumes during the September FIFA window.

Paredes, who was mocked by media personality Piers Morgan following the heated clash, has since returned home to Buenos Aires with La Albiceleste, while Spanish stars like Lamine Yamal spoke out on the physical altercation involving Gavi.

Paredes’ stats with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup

Despite battling a reported rib injury throughout the tournament, Paredes remained a dependable presence in manager Lionel Scaloni’s squad, whether starting or making an impact off the bench. Here is a breakdown of his numbers from the 2026 World Cup:

• Appearances: 6 matches (2 starts, 4 substitute appearances)
• Minutes played: 285′
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 1 (Group Stage vs. Algeria)
• Pass completion rate: 91.4% (192/210 completed passes)
• Tackles and interceptions: 14
• Yellow cards: 1
• Red cards: 0 (Initial post-match red card report was deleted by FIFA)

Attention now turns to Paredes’ long-term role with the national team ahead of major roster turnover leading into the 2030 World Cup. With aging core veterans, questions loom regarding Lionel Messi’s future availability for upcoming showcase fixtures, including the Finalissima and the 2028 Copa America.

On his show Sports Uncensored, Morgan called Paredes a “little rat” while trying to single out the absolute worst performer of the World Cup final. He took aim at the Argentine midfielder alongside Simon Jordan and John Terry, who simply laughed as he spoke.

It was obvious Paredes was going to draw heavy fire, especially after his post-match clash with Spain’s players while they were celebrating on the pitch. The footage went viral worldwide, and FIFA announced it would be looking into the incident.

Morgan also targets Gianni Infantino

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was another target of Morgan’s wrath, landing on the host’s list of the worst figures at the 2026 World Cup. Infantino also became a magnet for memes and heavy criticism online over claims that FIFA showed favoritism toward Argentina.

Calling Infantino “the biggest pr—“ was a direct shot at the head of global soccer. Time will tell if the FIFA boss takes any action against Morgan, who is notoriously ruthless in his commentary, not just about the World Cup, but about players and the transfer market as a whole.

Morgan relished Argentina’s loss to Spain

Beyond calling Paredes a rat, Morgan slammed the team’s behavior as completely out of line, calling it “the most disgusting thing I’ve seen in World Cup history!” Simon Jordan chimed in as well, adding, “I don’t have any empathy [for Argentina].”

“Soirée of the Year VII: Paredes vs. Gavi,” the sign, which Fabian Ruiz first held before handing it to Yamal, read. Moreover, Yamal looked at the camera, pointed to his eye, and said: “We’ll see each other.”

Although it all happened in a festive mood, Spain‘s provocation was clear, as the postgame incident wasn’t forgotten. To the victor belong the spoils, and it’s clear Yamal, who won his first World Cup at 19, and Spain will be having the last laugh. Similar scenes were seen when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, as Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez celebrated with a baby doll featuring Kylian Mbappe’s face. Argentina also mocked Colombia’s fan song after their win at the 2024 Copa America.

Now, they are on the losing side and are getting a taste of their own medicine. Still, Argentines are used to far worse provocations in their soccer culture and have also been mocked by Germany after the 2014 World Cup final loss. It’s all give and take. This time, Argentina couldn’t get it done and must take it on the chin.

Context behind Yamal’s sign

The “Soirée of the Year” (La Velada del Año) is an amateur boxing event held by Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos, in which social media celebrities from all over the world put on the gloves and box. The sixth annual edition will be held on July 25 in Sevilla, Spain.

Because the timing is too tight, the sign Yamal held during the 2026 World Cup parade was aimed at next year’s event, joking that Paredes and Gavi should battle it out in a boxing match in 2027. Even if they wanted to, though, it would be quite difficult for Paredes, who reportedly played through a rib injury at the 2026 World Cup, to participate.

For the time being, Paredes and Gavi have yet to break their silence and speak on the incident—if they ever do so—but it’s clear the rest of the players on Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning roster are taking it lightly and joking about the matter.

Spain celebrate, Argentina grieve

The celebrations are only beginning, and as they continue, it’s possible Argentina will be on the receiving end of more shots from the Spanish side. Buckle up, it’s going to be a long celebration on Monday in sunny and warm Madrid, as a rainy, cold, and gray Buenos Aires will hear the repercussions.

Per ESPN’s Martin Arevalo, Leandro Paredes played the last three games of the World Cup with a cracked rib. The only reason that the reports didn’t come out because opponents would have targeted him, but now he will need to recover.

Paredes started the tournament on the bench, but in need of a more balanced midfielder, he got the starting role. And he thrived in it, Paredes was a huge addition to this team and a key component all around. His only blemish was being a part of a post World Cup final altercation that FIFA is investigating.

Paredes’ 2026 World Cup stats

Despite the reports saying that there were times where Paredes was having trouble properly breathing, it didn’t show on the pitch. Paredes was absolutely stellar for the Albiceleste.

Paredes played 475 in eight games, and had two yellow cards. He completed 477 out of 509 passes for a 93% completion rate. Paredes created four chances, and won eight tackles out of nine attempted, with eight interceptions, and 13 clearances.

Paredes’ recovery time is still unclear

A cracked rib, depending on severity, can need a recovery time of about three to six weeks. Rib injuries cannot be placed in casts, the recovery revolves around strictly managing the pain and inflammation while waiting for the bone to mend on its own.

Hence, Paredes should be missing around a month, month-and-a-half of action. This will impact his club, Boca Jrs., as his Argentina endeavors are obviously paused for a while after the FIFA World Cup.

Instead of starting the experienced midfielder, Scaloni has opted for a different tactical approach in the center of the field, favoring greater mobility and ball progression against Spain’s possession-oriented style, with both teams now set with their confirmed lineups for the final.

The veteran midfielder played 64 minutes in Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England before being substituted in the second half, demonstrating that he remains fully available for selection heading into the World Cup final. Follow our live blog of Argentina vs Spain today!

With both teams’ uniforms now confirmed for the final, Argentina enter the match looking to become only the third nation to win back-to-back FIFA World Cups, while Lionel Messi hopes to end his World Cup career by lifting another trophy.

Could Leandro Paredes play in the World Cup final?

Yes. Paredes is available from the bench and could play an important role if Lionel Scaloni looks to add experience and control in midfield during the second half against Spain.

Known for his passing range, vision, defensive awareness, and ability to dictate the tempo of a match, Paredes gives Argentina another high-quality option if tactical adjustments become necessary as the final unfolds. Meanwhile, Pedri isn’t starting for Spain today.

In his second year in Paris, the veteran improved dramatically, scoring 21 goals and dishing out 20 assists across all competitions. However, while he did his best, he was unable to assist PSG in winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

The Argentine superstar had been met with vociferous whistles and jeers at the Parc des Princes ever since he joined, and the atmosphere only became worse since the defeat to Bayern. Also, he was banned from the team for a while due to his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia. That made the fans even more upset.

What did Leandro Paredes say about Lionel Messi and PSG?

Leandro Paredes was another player that the Argentine interacted with when both were at PSG before the former moved to Juventus on loan for the 2022-23 season. Set to return to the French capital, Paredes has revealed that he is baffled as to why the Parisians had treated both of them so poorly.

“I don’t know, I had to spend four years in Paris and I enjoyed it a lot. We played important things, we were very close to winning the Champions League, but afterward, I can’t explain why the treatment and reaction towards us“, he told TyC Sports.

Besides being on track to win his second Ligue 1 championship with Paris Saint-Germain, he just fulfilled a lifetime dream by leading Argentina to the World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022. It will take place in his trophy case alongside his 2021Copa America championship.

During the previous two decades, the 35-year-old ace has amassed an absurd amount of individual honors. Some of his individual awardsinclude 15 Argentine Footballer of the Year trophies, six European Golden Shoes, and, of course, a record seven Ballons d’Or.

Watch: Who did Lionel Messi giveone of his individual awards to?

Because the superstar has received so many individual accolades throughout the course of his stellar career, he has no qualms about bestowing one onto hisPSG colleague, Leandro Paredes.The midfielder currently on loan at Juventusalso had a role in the tournament that year,helping Argentina lift their first World Cup trophy in 30 years.

The 28-year-oldrecently gave media members a tour of his house and proudly displayed Messi’s La Liga 2020-21 Best Player medal.“He [Messi] arrived in Paris, I asked him if he would give it to me and he gave it to me”, Paredes said.

The28-year-old ace signed a loan contractthat included a conditional obligation to purchase for €25 million.With the likes of Marco Verratti, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and Renato Sanches crowding the midfield at Le Parc des Princes, he wasno longer needed.

Thus, theArgentine wasintended tofill in a crucial piece ofMassimiliano Allegri‘s midfield. However, after a string of poor performances, he was relegated to the bench. Nowbecause the terms have not been fulfilled, theItalian clubis free to decide whether or not to keep him.

What happened between Leandro Paredes and Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus?

Leandro Paredes and Massimiliano Allegri got into a scuffle during Monday’s open training session for Juventus, which will undoubtedly help the club’s decision-making process.The Bianconeri had around 300 supporters in the grandstand while they practiced at their Continassa facility.

While the players posed for photos and signed signatures, the Italian newspaperLa Gazzetta dello Sport reported that tensions were building between Paredes and Allegri. It has been stated that the World Cup winnerreturned to the locker room in a rage, entering just a few meters behind his coach before unleashing his frustrations.

While on loan at Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain since August, the former Roma player has been vocal about his frustration with the amount of playing time he has received fromAllegri. The manager’spreference for his younger compatriot Enzo Barrenechea in the starting lineups for Juventus midfield has reportedly made him very angry.

Undoubtedly, Lionel Messi was a huge reason why Argentina was able to win the World Cup for the third time in their history. The 35-year-old was held in very high esteem by his La Albiceleste teammates, but none more thanRodrigo De Paul,who has been dubbed Messi’s “bodyguard” due to his close relationship with the superstar forward.

They worked well together, and it proved to be a major factor in Argentina’s third World Cup victory. The Final triumph over Francejust demonstrated the great unity and camaraderie that exists throughout Lionel Scaloni’s squad.

What didLeandro Paredes comment onRodrigo De Paul’s Instagram post?

Rodrigo de Paul took advantage of Valentine’s Day to dedicate a romantic Instragam post to his girlfriend, Argentine singer Tini Stoessel. What the Atletico Madrid midfielder did not expect was that his close friend andnational teamteammate, Leandro Paredes would unexpectedly pop up in the comments section.

“Cupid comes out today… It’s Valentine’s Day… THANK YOU for making it magical, I love you”, De Paul’s post said,along with two photos in which he is seen with the singer and a fun video recorded backstage at one of his girlfriend’s shows.

One of the first to comment on the post was the Juventus loanee, who wrote: “I thought you were going to upload a photo with me today”,followed bya sad face and mending heart emojis. The comment sparked a frenzy on Instagram and got 65,000 likes.

However, the club season is back in full swing and the time to celebrate has passed. Most Argentine players were given a hero’s welcome in their return to club duty, but now they have to perform.

Right now, the press and fans couldn’t care less about how they fared in Qatar only a few weeks ago. If not look at Leandro Paredes, who despite being crucial for his nation, is now facing criticism in Italy.

Juventus star Leandro Paredes facingcriticismin Italy

Things are not going according to plan for Juventus, who continue to struggle after receiving a 15-point deduction. On Sunday, the Old Lady lost to Monza and most of the blame fell on Paredes.

“Where was he when Carlos Augusto found the middle of the park empty for the 2-0? Where was the experience of a world champion? Where was he when…” read the match report by Gazzetta Dello Sport, who also rated Paredes the worst player of the game with a 4.

Apart from the Italian newspaper’s harsh review, Juve fans are also questioning Paredes’ tenure with the team. “When players like Paredes that are perennial transfer targets for their careers they never show up for the shirt and the badge when it matters most,” the user @juve_cle wrote on Twitter.

“Wow, never see coming that Paredes would not be a great signing, as he was so important for PSG, oh wait, he wasn’t. It’s not a surprise. Sporting directors are as bad as the coach,” @PierreRvT tweeted.

More users kept on complaining about Paredes’ performances since moving to Turin. The Argentine star joined Juventus on loan from PSG in the summer, but it hasn’t gone as expected so far.