Paredes trades World Cup heartbreak for starring role at Boca Juniors

Leandro Paredes still refused a holiday, swapping the sorrow of a World Cup final defeat against Spain for an immediate starring role in Boca Juniors, appearing on the pitch just four days after the loss despite a seriously broken rib.

Boca Juniors faced Chilean side CD O’Higgins in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana qualification on the night of Thursday to Friday. The South‑American competition mirrors the UEFA Europa League. The match was part of the Zuid‑Amerikaanse tournament schedule. © AFPmet video captured the pre‑match atmosphere.

Paredes was named in the starting eleven despite having played the WK‑final with a broken rib. His presence on the field underscored his refusal to rest after the WK‑final.

Just before halftime he delivered a precise outside‑foot pass to striker Miguel Merentiel, who lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to score. The assist highlighted Paredes’ immediate impact on the game.

‘The first days after that rib injury were tough, but it’s getting better,’ Paredes told . He added that the intense pain was strongest at the start and that they managed it to endure as long as possible.

‘It will hurt for a long time because we were so close,’ he said. ‘We played a great World Cup, Spain were the rightful winners, and we can only enjoy what we have achieved in the past eight years.’

The 32‑year‑old also voiced uncertainty about his role in the national team. ‘For many it will be a difficult decision whether we continue or not. We must take decisions calmly and think it over,’ he explained.

After the final, Paredes got into a fist fight with Spanish players Gavi and Eric Garcia. Although a red card seemed imminent, the referee’s report omitted it, prompting a FIFA investigation; Gavi later said Paredes need not be suspended.

The stark contrast between the bruising World Cup finale and his decisive performance for Boca Juniors illustrates Paredes’ commitment to his club while navigating national team turmoil. JuniorsLeandro and the Google-favorietBoca narrative underline how quickly he shifted from international disappointment to club prominence.