Spain's World Cup win over Argentina in extra time, thanks to Ferran Torres goal, is the subject of conspiracy theories, and their opponents are now addressing them
Leandro Paredes looks on before playing in a match for Boca Juniors
Leandro Paredes has spoken out about the World Cup final back in Argentina(Image: Diego Alberto Haliasz, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Leandro Paredes believes Spain were worthy World Cup winners and is not entertaining talk of conspiracy theories after the final. Argentina's midfielder was central to the controversial scenes after Sunday's match, pushing and shoving multiple opposition players.
Paredes, 32, is now back in his homeland, where he plays for Boca Juniors. Instead of taking a break like most of his international team-mates, he is already playing in South America, as the season has resumed after pausing for this summer's tournament.
He played the full 90 minutes of their first game back. Paredes even assisted the game's only goal against O'Higgins.
Afterwards, he was inevitably asked about the World Cup. Conspiracy theories were among the topics of conversation.
Footage of Lionel Messi addressing his players before the match, urging them to "forget what happened", has sparked speculation that something suspicious took place. A clip of the incident doing the rounds on social media appears to show Enzo Fernandez and Lisandro Martinez visibly distressed as they emerge from the dressing room.
Martinez was substituted just before the break, apparently through injury, having already been booked. Fernandez departed early, too, after receiving his marching orders in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
Leandro Paredes and Eric Garcia clashing on the pitch
Leandro Paredes lost his head after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain(Image: Al Bello, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Paredes, however, has refused to entertain the rumours. In quotes reported by AS and translated into English from Spanish, he said: "Spain was superior to us in the final; they are a fair winner of the World Cup.
"We don't give a damn about these theories. If it's what I hear, I have to go crazy.
"Everything that was said before, during and after the World Cup. We had a great tournament. We have to enjoy what we achieved in these eight years; it was a spectacular process. Surely we will fall when time passes because it is something incredible."
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image
He told ESPN: "For many, it will be a decision whether to continue or not. It was a spectacular process. It will be very difficult to maintain this level and keep the group functioning in this way. You have to think, take stock, and talk to the coach. Decisions must be made calmly. I don't know if I'm going to go on.
"I think it's going to be a long process to overcome what we experienced. Although we achieved a lot, the pain of losing the final is going to hurt for a long time, because we were very close again.
"But we have to enjoy it because it's not easy to maintain the level we had for so long to achieve what we did. Although we lost the final, I think we had a World Cup where the people saw themselves reflected, and for us that is very gratifying."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.