Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes has hailed the incredible consistency in the Argentina national team led by the mercurial Lionel Messi, Softfootball reports.
Paredes, a bit part in the La Albiceleste squad that won the 2022 World Cup has become a super regular for the team in the run-up to the 2026 tournament.
Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 in their final home game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Messi scoring a brace and was moved to tears by the support of the home fans as many of them could be watching him for the last time on home turf.
However, the biggest win for Paredes was the togetherness in the squad as he highlights during an interview with FIFA’s official media, where he revealed that all the players that started against Venezuela played at the World Cup final except for 18-year-old Real Madrid sensation, Franco Mastantuono who was delighted to play alongside Messi. He revealed:
It’s a real joy for us, after almost three years since the World Cup, to continue playing at this level and in the same style. It’s also great to see young players coming through and performing like this for us, so we’re extremely happy.
I think that tonight, despite not having much space to play in the middle, we kept our cool, managed our positioning, and were always in control.
Another teammate, Julián Alvarez speaking during the same interview about Messi potentially playing his last game in front of home fans and the win over Venezuela. He said:
“It was a special, historic night and one that everyone will remember for what it meant to see Leo play his last competitive match in Argentina, and perhaps Ota (Nicolas Otamendi) too. They have been a big part of our journey in the national team and both are top professionals. I’m really grateful to them and they deserve the best.
Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup as the best team from South America by topping the group and will be going to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada to defend their crown.
