End of the road? Argentina star ready to quit international football

Leandro Paredes is staring at the exit door: rather than sit out a 10-game ban, the Argentina midfielder is ready to walk away from international football for good.

Details: The 32 year old admitted it will be difficult to carry on playing for Argentina, citing both his suspension and Lionel Messi's retirement from the national team. Paredes says he has not yet spoken to coach Lionel Scaloni, but the pair will discuss the decision.

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The ban dates back to the ugliest scene of the summer: at the final whistle of the World Cup final defeat to Spain, Paredes shoved substitute Gavi to the ground, sparking a brawl that earned him three assault charges, a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine from FIFA. Nahuel Molina got seven games, assistant coach Roberto Ayala three, and the AFA was hit with a heavy fine that also covered the Falkland Islands banner shown after the semifinal win over England. With Argentina's calendar through June 2027 consisting almost entirely of friendlies, the sanction is effectively a one-year expulsion, although FIFA did agree the ban can be served in Class A friendlies. Paredes, who plays his club football at Boca Juniors, would still rather close the chapter than serve it out, one month after watching Messi say goodbye and weeks after Spain's extra-time winner from Ferran Torres ended Argentina's reign.

It's worth noting that Argentina are due to defend their Copa America crown in 2028, a title Paredes helped win twice, and his potential retirement would leave Scaloni rebuilding midfield without two pillars of the era.

Reminder: Cherif Ndiaye announces his retirement from international football.