Leandro Paredes Reflects on World Cup Loss and Argentina's Journey

Paredes Acknowledges Spain's Victory

Leandro Paredes, the Argentine footballer, expressed that Spain rightfully earned their title as champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He noted that the disappointment of losing the final will linger for a considerable time. Following Spain's narrow 1-0 victory, Paredes found himself in heated exchanges with Spanish players Eric Garcia and Gavi.

Conspiracy Theories Addressed

In an interview with ESPN, Paredes emphasized that Spain deserved their second World Cup title and dismissed various conspiracy theories regarding Argentina's defeat. Among the prevalent speculations was the notion that the final was orchestrated to favor Spain, allegedly to assist FIFA president Gianni Infantino in securing re-election with UEFA's backing. Another theory suggested that Argentina was pressured to lose after displaying a political message regarding the Falklands during their semi-final win over England, with threats of exclusion from future World Cups. Paredes stated, "Spain outperformed us in the final, and they earned the World Cup. We ignore these theories; believing everything would drive me crazy. There was much discussion before, during, and after the tournament."

Reflecting on an 'Exceptional Journey'

Looking back on the team's journey to the final, Paredes remarked on the remarkable tournament they had, highlighting their achievements over the past eight years, which include two Copa America titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy. He noted, "As time goes on, we may come to appreciate the magnitude of our accomplishments, as it is truly extraordinary."

Uncertain Future with the National Team

Discussing his future with the Argentina national team since his debut in 2017, Paredes mentioned, "For many players, it’s time to consider whether to continue or not. This journey has been exceptional." He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining their current level and the need for the team to evaluate their path moving forward. "We must have a thorough discussion with the coach and make decisions thoughtfully; I am uncertain about my continuation," he added.

Lingering Pain of the Loss

In closing, Paredes conveyed that the emotional impact of the World Cup final loss would take time to heal, yet he encouraged the team to celebrate their recent successes. "I believe it will take a long time to move past what we experienced. While we have achieved significant milestones, the pain of losing the World Cup final will remain with us for a long time, as we were so close. Nonetheless, we must cherish what we have accomplished," he concluded.