Leandro Paredes has fuelled speculation about Lionel Messi's future with the Argentina national team following their World Cup final defeat to Spain. The midfielder suggested his legendary teammate has likely played his last match for his country after the 1-0 loss in New Jersey, though he expressed hope the 39-year-old forward might reconsider his decision.
Speaking to Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo, Paredes reflected on a tournament where Messi scored eight goals and carried Argentina through the competition almost single-handedly. "I think he has made his decision, and that it really was his last match with the national team," Paredes said. "I hope that is not the case, and I hope he can carry on playing, but the decision ultimately rests with him. Anything that makes him happy will certainly make us happy."
Emotional Finale for Argentine Legend
The World Cup final represented a bittersweet conclusion to what many observers viewed as Messi's potential swan song on the international stage. Despite his stellar performances throughout the tournament, the forward failed to make a decisive impact in the showdown against Spain, remaining relatively anonymous until the closing stages. His teammates struggled to process the possibility that his World Cup run might mark the end of an era.
Paredes, who recently featured for Boca Juniors, expressed the collective pain felt in the squad over the prospect of losing their captain. "It is painful, because I think we kept saying it throughout the World Cup, we did not want that last match to come, we did not want it at all," he shared. The midfielder's candid remarks underscored the emotional weight of a potential retirement from international football for the Argentine icon.
Legacy Built Under Scaloni
Under coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi helped Argentina claim two Copa America titles, a World Cup, and the Finalissima—a trophy haul that cemented his legacy and earned him deep respect from teammates across the squad. His ability to perform at the highest level while playing in Major League Soccer demonstrated his enduring quality and commitment to the national cause. Whether Messi chooses to extend his Argentina career beyond the World Cup final remains entirely his decision, but Paredes's comments suggest the player has already made up his mind about his international future.
