Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has indicated that he may retire from international duty, citing a substantial 10-match ban and the recent departure of national team captain Lionel Messi as key reasons.
Paredes, 32, received the lengthy suspension in August after a brawl with Spanish players following Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final. He faced three assault charges related to the incident, which involved him shoving Spanish substitute Gavi. Teammate Nahuel Molina also faced charges and was fined, as were both players.
The midfielder's contemplation of his international future comes just days after Lionel Messi announced his own retirement from the national team. Paredes stated that Messi's decision is a significant factor in his own deliberations.
"It's going to be difficult for me to stay with the national team," Paredes told Argentine media on Tuesday. "Because of the suspension as well, because of Leo's decision... It's going to be difficult for everything to carry on as before. I haven't discussed it with the coach (Lionel Scaloni) yet, but we'll talk about it and see what decision I make."
Paredes acknowledged the void Messi's absence will create. "Leo's legacy will live on forever because of what he achieved, for never giving up and for showing that dreams are hard-won, pursued and, in the end, fulfilled," Paredes said. He added that while he and teammates had discussed the possibility of the World Cup final being Messi's last match, they were not fully prepared for his departure.
Following Messi's announcement on Instagram, Paredes paid tribute to the iconic forward, calling him "the greatest of all." Messi's statement indicated that the death of his father earlier in the month had further solidified his decision to retire from international play after 21 years.
"Thank you for absolutely everything," Paredes wrote in his tribute to Messi. "You are and always will be the greatest of all. We love you, captain." Messi's statement conveyed the personal difficulty of his decision. "It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts, to my core, but I understand that it's the right time. I swear that I always gave my all, not just in the last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and gave everything for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you proud to be Argentinian through football."