Argentina hatchet man Leandro Paredes’ wildest moments – from World Cup final brawl to double dissent and Van Dijk melee

ARGENTINA hardman Leandro Paredes was at the centre of a heated bust-up after Sunday’s World Cup final – but he is no stranger to tension on or off the pitch. Paredes, 32, saw the Albiceleste surrender their world crown after losing 1-0 to Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey following Ferran Torres’ extra time winner. Argentina ace Leandro Paredes got embroiled into a heated bust-up with Spain players Credit: Getty Images – Getty Paredes clashes with Spain aces Eric Garcia and Gavi after the World Cup final Credit: Getty Images Lionel Messi and Co only managed two shots – both off target – during the 120-minute affair and lost Enzo Fernandez to a second yellow card just before extra-time. And Paredes lost his temper at full-time as he got into a row with Spain players and made headlines once more for all the wrong reasons. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But it is not the first time the Argentina international has landed in trouble. SunSport takes you through five occasions the Boca Juniors ace has lost his head: 1. July 20, 2026 — Argentina 0-1 Spain Paredes lost his cool this weekend, as did Argentina team-mates Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Otamendi, who had an intense confrontation with Rodri. But none of them got as wild as Paredes, who sprinted towards celebrating Spain players, grabbed Eric Garcia by the neck, floored Gavi and reportedly threw punches into the crowd. 2. May 19, 2024 – Roma 1-0 Genoa Paredes spent two years playing for Roma before his return to Argentina in 2025. And it was in 2024 when he blew his top against Genoa as he got two yellow cards in just a few seconds for dissent. 3. December 9, 2022 – Argentina 2-2 Netherlands (4-3 on penalties) Tempers flared in the 88th minute of a tense 2022 World Cup quarter-final when Paredes committed a wild, sliding tackle on Nathan Ake. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And immediately after the hard foul, Paredes deliberately drilled the ball at full force straight into the Netherlands’ bench. That sparked a bench-clearing melee on the touchline where Holland captain Virgil van Dijk ran over and forcefully flattened the Argentina ace. The now 32-year-old escaped with a yellow card in a match that set a World Cup record with 18 bookings. Paredes sparked a wild brawl with the Netherlands during the 2022 World Cup Credit: Reuters 4. September 13, 2020 — PSG 0-1 Marseille Paredes played a pivotal role in a full-pitch brawl during stoppage time following an off-the-ball foul on then Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar. Paredes was knocked over by Dario Benedetto before shoving him, knocking him to the ground and engaging with multiple Marseille players. The midfielder was shown a red card alongside fellow PSG aces Neymar and Layvin Kurzawa, while Marseille’s Jordan Amavi and Benedetto were also given their marching orders. Paredes clashed with Dario Benedetto during Le Classique Credit: PSG via Getty Images 5. November 4, 2018 — Zenit St-Petersburg vs Akhmat Grozny Then Zenit St-Petersburg star Paredes picked up two quick and unnecessary yellow cards within minutes and got sent off in the 83rd minute. Russian media and furious Zenit fans then accused Paredes of intentionally getting a red card as he would have been suspended for the next Premier League match. The midfielder’s critics claimed that would allow him to fly back to Argentina and watch his beloved Boca Juniors play rivals River Plate in the Copa Libertadores final. Paredes was forced to go on Argentinian television to deny sabotaging his team and claimed the Russian giants had already authorised his trip. 1 comment1