Leandro Paredes caught in another on-pitch altercation weeks after ‘disgraceful’ World Cup brawl

World Cup final pantomime villain Leandro Paredes was up to his old tricks at the weekend as he caused yet more on-pitch chaos.

Paredes was disruptor in chief for Argentina during the 2026 World Cup and caught the attention of the football world for his roughhousing which culminated in him instigating a 'disgraceful' brawl following Argentina's loss to Spain in the final.

There's been no rest for the wicked, though, and while European-based players are still on their holidays, Paredes is already back in action playing for his club side.

The 32-year-old was in the heart of Boca Juniors' midfield as they drew 2-2 with Newell's Old Boys in the Argentinian Primera Division - Torneo Clausura - on Sunday, and he caused some more mischief.

Paredes in hot water again

With the Buenos Aires side 2-1 down to the hosts, Paredes sparked another round of handbags when he appeared to deliberately boot a ball straight at an opposition player in the 69th minute when the game was paused.

Old Boys' Facundo Guch had just been fouled, with the referee blowing for a free-kick, but as he got back to his feet, Paredes kicked the ball right on his backside. A proper tanner.

Guch went down writhing in pain and his teammates soon surrounded Paredes to confront him for his actions.

The referee brandished a yellow card in Paredes' direction and the incident didn't come to any further blows, unlike the aftermath of the World Cup final.

Paredes' World Cup final antics

Four years on from their widely celebrated World Cup triumph in Qatar, Argentina earned themselves plenty of critics during this summer's tournament for their rough and ready tactics.

Yet, the robust approach served them well as they came back from behind on multiple occasions - including against England in the semi-final - to make it all the way to the final.

A tense 120 minutes was settled by Ferran Torres' strike in the second half of extra-time, but Paredes didn't take the result lying down.

As Lionel Messi bawled his eyes out, Paredes took out his frustrations by getting into physical altercations with several members of the victorious Spanish squad.

He allegedly grabbed Eric Garcia by the neck and then appeared to push Gavi to the ground but avoided being shown a red card.

FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Paredes, who faces three counts of assault and one charge of unsporting behaviour from football's governing body.

Reflecting on Argentina's World Cup campaign but avoiding the topic of his actions after the final, Paredes wrote on Instagram: “THANK YOU ARGENTINA !!! I LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS.

“Today it's time to write with a lot of pain in the soul for not having been able to give them that joy that our country so deserves, but with the chest full of pride for giving everything we had and leaving our flag again on the highest!

“Thanks to everyone who was part of this selection, to this group of players who gave their lives to represent this shirt as it did until the last second of each game!

“It was an honour to be part of the best Argentinian national team in history!!”