Leandro Paredes has admitted it will be "difficult" for him to carry on representing Argentina following a 10-match ban imposed by FIFA after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

The Argentina midfielder was suspended for his involvement in an ugly on-pitch confrontation after Argentina's 1-0 defeat by Spain in the World Cup final. Paredes grabbed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat, wrestled Gavi to the ground, and appeared to strike Gavi in the face.

Speaking publicly about his international future for the first time since the ban, the Boca Juniors player said the punishment — combined with Lionel Messi's retirement from international football — had left him questioning whether to continue.

Messi's retirement weighs heavily

"It's going to be difficult for me to stay with the national team," Paredes said. "Because of the suspension as well, because of Leo's decision. It's going to be difficult for everything to carry on as before."

Messi, 39, announced his international retirement shortly after the final, saying he had "nothing left to give" having "given it my all." The Argentina captain had led his country to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022 but was unable to defend that title against Spain in what proved to be his final appearance for his country.

Messi scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina, finishing as his country's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

Paredes paid tribute to his teammate, saying: "Leo's legacy will live on forever because of what he achieved, for never giving up and for showing that dreams are hard-won, pursued and, in the end, fulfilled."

He added that the squad had discussed the possibility during the tournament. "We'd spoken in the final days of the World Cup about how the final would surely be his last match, but even so, we weren't prepared for that because of what he means to us."

Decision yet to be made

Paredes confirmed he has not yet spoken to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni about his future but indicated a conversation is coming. "I haven't discussed it with the coach yet, but we'll talk about it and see what decision I make," he said.