Leandro Paredes showed himself to be a troublemaker long before his antics at the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup final.
The Argentina midfielder earned worldwide condemnation after becoming embroiled in a fisticuffs with Spain duo Eric Garcia and Gavi, appearing to grab Garcia forcefully by the neck before hauling Gavi to the ground as La Roja celebrated victory.
But it is nothing new from Paredes, who angered Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup in Lusail. Having belted the ball into the Netherlands’ substitute bench, Paredes felt the full force of Van Dijk as the centre-back raced in to deal with his behaviour.
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Van Dijk was angered by Paredes
Argentina’s clash with the Netherlands four years ago was one of the best games of modern times at the World Cup, with the Albiceleste racing into a two-goal lead, before an unexpected double from Wout Weghorst put the game into extra-time.
Argentina eventually won on penalties, with many of the squad goading the Dutch players as they ran to celebrate with goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
That was the culmination of a remarkably feisty match in which Paredes provided a major flashpoint.
After fouling Nathan Ake with a mistimed sliding tackle, the midfielder then sprang up and fired the ball into the appealing Netherlands players just a few metres away.
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Rightly, Van Dijk took exception to Paredes’ decision, racing over to barge the Argentine with his chest, sending him flying to the ground. A mass brawl ensued, which Paredes had orchestrated completely.
Nevertheless, despite his propensity to stir trouble on the pitch, Paredes took no further issue with Van Dijk, perhaps realising that the Liverpool captain would not tolerate his nonsense.
“(The shove on Paredes) was obviously something I don’t normally do but it was the heat of the moment and we are all human beings, these things happen,” the Liverpool defender said on the incident in January 2023.
“It fuels me in any way, shape or form because I want to be successful with the Netherlands.”
Though Argentina won the battle that day – and eventually the war by securing the 2022 trophy – karma has finally come back to call for Paredes, and his violent outburst in New Jersey should be his final act in any World Cup.
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