Paredes presses Argentina case with Boca heroics
The Albiceleste midfielder was the standout player in the Superclásico, with Boca relying on his class just as Argentina have done so many times.
Paredes controlled the game and scored in Boca’s Superclásico win over River
The midfielder has become the club’s talisman since returning last year
He remains important to Scaloni’s plans ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026
Leandro Paredes’ influence at Boca Juniors is truly immense. In the Superclásico against River Plate this past weekend, the Argentina midfielder set the tone from the outset – first off the team bus at the Monumental, first onto the pitch for the warm-up, and constantly communicating with the referee. Above all, he was the heartbeat of a side growing in confidence and beginning to believe they can compete for major honours once again.
Boca brought Paredes back in July last year to deliver on these sorts of occasions, and he has well and truly lived up to those expectations so far. In his first Superclásico since coming back, he played a decisive role in a 2-0 victory at La Bombonera in November. This time round, meanwhile, away from home, the former Roma midfielder once again imposed himself in the middle of the pitch. Aged 31, he appears rejuvenated and fully committed following his return to the Xeneize, while also remaining an important part of an Argentina squad aiming to defend their global crown at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The seasoned campaigner’s celebration after scoring from the penalty spot on the brink of half-time was particularly symbolic, as Paredes recreated the famous Topo Gigio gesture – inspired by the fictional Italian mouse – first made iconic by Juan Roman Riquelme against River 25 years ago.
Paredes showed his full range of talents during the first half. He retained possession with composure, set the tempo of Boca’s play and produced a series of incisive passes, some of which with his trademark trivelas. One of those moves led to the penalty that he converted himself, sending goalkeeper Santiago Beltran the wrong way and firing the ball top bins for good measure. He then wheeled away in delight, kissed the badge and cupped his hands around his ears.
Boca endured a difficult 2025, suffering a group-stage exit at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, failing to progress from the preliminary rounds of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and ending the year trophyless. Yet the second half of the year brought clear signs of recovery, and the team have looked more competitive and ambitious this year, with Paredes at the centre of that resurgence. He rarely wastes possession, always looks to link up with team-mates, competes fiercely and adds a level of authority that raises the bar for his side.
The home-grown hero was eventually substituted in the second half of the Superclásico after experiencing muscular discomfort. Speaking after the match, Paredes revealed that he had felt pain 20 minutes into the first half but stayed on as long as he could. He praised his team-mates for their unwavering commitment and impressive, mature performance, and said that the squad was improving steadily, with young players eager to develop and win together.
Paredes remains one of several elite midfield options available for Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina. He was a fixture in the side in the lead-up to Qatar 2022, only to lose his place after the surprise opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at the competition. The then Juventus loanee was a largely peripheral figure for the remainder of the tournament, which saw the Argentinians crowned world champions for the first time since 1986, although he did line up from the start in the semi-finals against Croatia.
Paredes was likewise in and out of the team at the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América, but he made a vital contribution in the final against Colombia, climbing off the bench to help settle and organise the troops in the closing stages of the contest with his poise and tactical acumen. He also started in the Albiceleste’s final three qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026, against the Colombians, Venezuela and Ecuador last year.
With Argentina set to face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J at this year’s global showpiece, competition for midfield places remains intense. Paredes is up against the likes of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios in the battle for a starting berth. While this versatile cohort of engine-room aces cover plenty of bases between them, the Xeneize linchpin stands out for his comfort in a deep-lying role, close to the centre-backs, from where he can orchestrate the build-up play and control the tempo.
The veteran anchorman’s influence for his boyhood club continues to grow with every match: it extends beyond his passing and positioning, and even beyond the game itself. After the final whistle against River, a media official handed the Boca captain a mobile phone, so he gathered his team-mates around him and took a celebratory selfie. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this was a perfect snapshot of Paredes’ leadership and stature.
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Source: FIFA.com