The Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes was involved in a confrontation at the end of the Spain-Argentina match that ended with his expulsion. The fight began with the celebration of the Spanish players. During the celebration for the 1-0 victory, Paredes first attacked Eric García and then pushed Gavi.
What sanction can Paredes receive for the World Cup fight
The sanction for Leandro Paredes could exceed the automatic punishment associated with his expulsion if FIFA considers that his conduct after the final constitutes a further infraction.
What happened at the end of the final
The incident occurred immediately after the final whistle. Paredes confronted several Spanish players and knocked down Gavi during the scuffle. Earlier, Nahuel Molina hit Rodrigo Hernández in an action that triggered the subsequent brawl.
The Argentine coach, Lionel Scaloni, intervened to reduce the tension. The final had already ended with Argentina at a disadvantage after the expulsion of Enzo Fernández during added time of the second half.
FIFA can impose more than one match
The red card implies an automatic suspension for the next official match subject to the competition regulations. However, the punishment can be extended if the referee's report or the footage captures a more serious conduct.
The decision corresponds to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, the body responsible for applying the sanctions provided in the Disciplinary Code to players, teams, and federations.
To determine the punishment, the description of the referee, the available footage, and the legal qualification of the conduct will be taken into account. An action considered violent may receive a sanction greater than that derived solely from the expulsion.
There is still no official sanction
FIFA has not yet communicated the opening of a specific file nor the number of matches that Paredes could miss. There has also been no resolution from the Disciplinary Committee regarding the fight.
Until there is an official decision, any specific figure regarding the duration of the punishment would be provisional. The organization can confirm the automatic suspension and study separately the events that occurred after the match.
Who is Leandro Paredes
Midfielder for Boca Juniors and world champion with Argentina in 2022, at his 32 years he is one of the players with the most international experience on the Argentine national team.
From Boca promise to defensive midfielder
Leandro Daniel Paredes Benítez was born on June 29, 1994, in San Justo, Buenos Aires province. He trained in the youth categories of Boca Juniors, the club with which he made his professional debut in 2010.
His first steps were as an offensive midfielder. His quality with the ball led to early comparisons with Juan Román Riquelme, one of his references and current president of Boca.
His position changed during his time in Italy. Paredes moved back his area of influence and began to play as a playmaker in front of the defense. From that position, he built his career: good long-range passing, ability to organize the ball's exit, and experience to control the pace of the matches.
His career in Europe
Paredes left Boca in 2014 and developed a good part of his career in Europe. He played for Chievo Verona, Empoli, and Roma before signing with Zenit St. Petersburg.
In January 2019, he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, where he shared a locker room with Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Ángel Di María. With the French club, he won several national titles and played in the 2020 Champions League final.
Later, he went through Juventus and returned to Roma. In July 2025, he returned to Boca Juniors, the club where he had started his career, and signed a contract until December 2028.
His return had a strong emotional component. The presentation gathered thousands of fans at La Bombonera, and the player himself described that day as one of the most important of his life.
World Champion with Argentina
Paredes made his debut with the Argentina national team on June 13, 2017, in a friendly match against Singapore. Since then, he has become a regular part of the teams managed by Lionel Scaloni.
He was part of the generation that ended Argentina's long title drought. He won the Copa América in 2021, the Finalissima in 2022, and the World Cup in Qatar held that same year. He also won the Copa América in 2024.
In Qatar, he participated in decisive moments. He scored in the penalty shootouts against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and against France in the final that made Argentina world champions.
A trusted player for Scaloni
Paredes has alternated between starting and the bench in the national team, but he has maintained a relevant role due to his relationship with Messi and his ability to organize the midfield. Scaloni included him again in the Argentine squad for the 2026 World Cup.
His return to Boca reinforced his options to compete in the tournament. FIFA highlighted before the championship that the midfielder had regained prominence in Argentina and was still part of the plans of the coach.