Leandro Paredes, the 32-year-old midfielder, is uncertain about his own future with the Argentina national team but appears convinced that Lionel Messi will retire after the 2026 World Cup. In an interview with TyC Sports, Paredes expressed concern that the image of Messi in tears at the end of the final against Spain could signify his farewell to the national team.
Messi’s attempt to secure a second consecutive World Cup title ended in disappointment, as Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final, the team’s first loss of the tournament. This defeat heightened the sense of disappointment for both Messi and the team.
Paredes: “Messi Planned to Retire After the Final, but I Hope He Continues”
Messi’s 207th appearance for Argentina could mark the conclusion of a remarkable career that began on August 17, 2005, during a friendly match against Hungary. While Messi has not publicly addressed his future, Paredes revealed in his conversation with TyC Sports that he believes Messi intended to retire after the World Cup final, although he still hopes the iconic player will decide to continue.
Paredes, who received a warm welcome on his return to ‘La Bombonera’, was not only asked about his club matches but also about the future of the national team and Messi’s potential retirement, a topic that worries many fans.
“It Hurts to See Him Leave, but It’s Messi’s Decision”
As one of Messi’s closest friends, Paredes acknowledged the emotional weight of Messi’s possible departure from the national team. “It hurts because, as I said throughout the World Cup, I didn’t want the last match to end. I believe he has decided that this was his last game for the national team,” Paredes stated calmly, suggesting he had come to terms with this idea long ago.
TyC Sports reports that it would not be surprising if Messi, now 39 and with a storied career behind him, played his final World Cup. The shocking possibility remains that Messi may never again don the national colors, leaving fans with the heart-wrenching image of his tears after another lost final.
Despite the somber outlook, Paredes clings to hope that Messi might still play at the international level: “I hope I am wrong, and we all hope he can continue to play. It will be his decision. What makes him happy will surely make us happy too.”
