Leandro Paredes could make immediate return to football action days after World Cup final controversy

Leandro Paredes could make his return to the pitch just days after his involvement in the World Cup final’s mass brawl. 

The Argentina midfielder was at the centre of controversy when Spain’s World Cup triumph descended into chaos at full-time, as he launched into a violent rampage and threw punches in a wild scuffle.

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Ferran Torres‘ 106th-minute winner sealed victory for La Roja, and the 2022 champions lost all composure in the immediate aftermath.

Paredes was at the heart of this, who was seen attacking Spain’s players as they celebrated as a series of bust-ups broke out.

Footage showed him grabbing Barcelona’s Eric Garcia by the throat, before grappling with Gavi and throwing him to the ground.

This came after his Argentina teammate Nahuel Molina appeared to start the mass brawl by throwing a punch at Spain captain Rodri.

A series of altercations followed, with Paredes’ actions the most violent, and it was reported at the time that he had been shown a red card for his actions, although the BBC later confirmed this had been removed.

But the Boca Juniors midfielder could still face punishment for this, with FIFA set to launch an investigation into the ugly full-time scenes.

Business as usual?

While Paredes awaits his fate amid huge criticism of his behaviour, he has already returned to his club side ahead of a quick turnaround.

Boca face O’Higgins on Friday in the Copa Sudamericana – South America’s second-largest continental club competition.

And despite playing almost 700 minutes at the World Cup, Paredes could play in the game, just five days after Argentina’s final defeat.

However, there are some concerns about the 32-year-old’s availability, none of which relate to his post-match actions on Sunday.

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Paredes played the tournament whilst carrying a rib injury, which has left Boca weighing up whether or not to play him.

Reports in Argentina say the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star is desperate to feature, as he looks to put his World Cup heartache behind him.

As a result, Boca’s medical team will monitor his situation throughout the week, before deciding if he is fit enough for the cup clash at La Bombonera.

Paredes speaks out

Despite being widely condemned for his antics after the World Cup final, Paredes is yet to address his involvement in the ugly brawl.

The 84-cap Argentina international spoke out for the first time since the ill-tempered New York finale on Tuesday, but made no mention of his violent rampage.

He wrote on Instagram: “Today, I write with a heavy heart, having been unable to bring our country the joy it so richly deserves – but with a chest full of pride for having given everything we had and for flying our flag at the very top once again!

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“Thank you to everyone who was part of this national team—to this group of players who gave their all to represent this jersey, fighting for it until the very last second of every match!

“It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history.”

‘Disgraceful’

While Paredes kept quiet on his role in the violent post-match scuffle, the rest of the footballing world has weighed in.

talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor is among his critics, who insisted Paredes should be banned from the whole of the next World Cup.  

The Aston Villa icon said on the talkSPORT Breakfast show: “You want to feel safe on the pitch, the punishment has to be that big that no-one ever does that again.

“No matter what happens in football, you can be angry you lost, but be classy in defeat, if you want to fight Paredes, there are places to fight – not on the pitch against Garcia.

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“And the way he was manhandling Gavi, a 21-year-old kid, and you were throwing him around on the pitch, that’s someone’s son, brother.

“Disgraceful. I would ban him from the whole next tournament if I had my way. Coward.”