Leandro Paredes makes statement on Argentina future after ugly World Cup final scenes

Leandro Paredes has commented on his Argentina future after being involved in unsavoury scenes during the World Cup final in New Jersey.

Spain were crowned World Cup champions for the second time on Sunday when Ferran Torres popped up with the winning goal in extra time.

A victory was fully merited after Argentina only registered three shots on goal across 120 minutes of action and also ended the game with 10 men.

Enzo Fernandez was sent off for picking up two silly yellow cards, and this moment - as well as the despair of defeat - sparked ugly scenes on the pitch after the whistle was blown.

Leandro Paredes came on as a second-half substitute and was booked during the game before being sent off for grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the ground at full time.

FIFA recorded on their commentary system that Paredes was shown a second yellow card for that incident, but it was later clarified that it was done in error and the sending off was rescinded.

Paredes, who could face a three-match suspension for violent conduct following a FIFA investigation, broke his silence on the defeat three days after the final.

"THANK YOU ARGENTINA!! I LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS," he wrote on Instagram to his 15m followers.

"Today I write with a heavy heart for not being able to give you the joy our country so deserves. But my heart is bursting with pride for giving everything we had and raising our flag high once again!

"Thank you to everyone who was part of this team, to this group of players who gave their all to represent this jersey, just like they did until the very last second of every match!

"It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history!!"

The 32-year-old decided against commenting on his unacceptable behaviour at full-time in that statement, but has since addressed his future.

Leandro Paredes breaks silence on Argentina future after World Cup

Argentina have an ageing squad of players who are coming towards the end of their careers, and Paredes is certainly part of that cohort.

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Currently playing his club football with Boca Juniors, Paredes has been capped 84 times by his nation, adding seven more to that total during the World Cup.

It was a physically and emotionally taxing tournament for the midfielder, and it has left him considering his long-term future with the national team.

"It's been a magnificent journey. It will be very difficult to maintain this level and ensure that the group continues to function in this way," Paredes admitted.

"Decisions must be made calmly. I don't yet know if I'm fit enough to continue. It's a process that needs to be digested and carefully considered."

Clearly deciding whether to retire from international football, the Boca Juniors star also confirmed that Argentina's match against Spain could be Lionel Messi's last.

"It hurts because I think we said it throughout the World Cup - we didn't want his last game to come," Paredes said on Messi's future.

"I think he had already decided that this would be his last game with the national team."

Retiring after losing a World Cup final and being involved in those ugly scenes would be a sad ending for Paredes, who has scored five goals for La Albiceleste since making his debut in 2017.