Leandro Paredes has admitted it will be ‘difficult’ for him to continue playing for Argentina following his 10-match international ban.The 32-year-old was handed the lengthy suspension by FIFA for his role in the ugly brawl at full-time after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat, which saw him throw punches and attack Spain players.Leandro Paredes was one of the villains of Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to SpainGettyParedes grabbed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground, before appearing to throw a punch in wild scenes.In August, he was found guilty of three counts of ‘assault’, which saw him receive a 10-match ban as well as a $90,000 fine.Argentina’s Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada were also handed respective bans and fined for their part in the post-World Cup final chaos, as well as coach Roberto Ayala.Paredes reveals Argentina uncertainty With Paredes staring at a lengthy spell away from international football in the wake of his ban, he has now admitted he is currently weighing up his Argentina future.His hint comes just days after footballing great Lionel Messi called time on his legendary Argentina career.Citing his 10-match ban, Paredes then revealed Messi‘s retirement was another reason why he is considering whether to continue with the national team.The ex-PSG star told Argentine media on Tuesday: “It’s going to be difficult for me to stay with the national team.“Because of the suspension as well, because of Leo’s decision … It’s going to be difficult for everything to carry on as before.“I haven’t discussed it with the coach (Lionel Scaloni) yet, but we’ll talk about it and see what decision I make.”Leandro Paredes pushed Spain’s Gavi and Eric Garcia and appeared to throw a punch in wild scenes following the World Cup finalGettyLionel Messi has retired from international football, after scoring eight goals at the 2026 World CupGettyWhile Paredes’ suspension means he is facing a long spell away from international football, his absence might not be as long as first feared if he chooses to continue.Having been set for over a year out of action, FIFA recently approved the Argentine FA’s request to allow their bans to be served in Class A friendlies – as well as official games.This means Argentina’s players can serve their suspensions in far less time – especially Paredes, who could potentially complete the majority of his ten-game ban before the end of 2026.Messi decision to have knock-on effectWhile Paredes considers international future, he admitted Messi’s absence from the national team going forward will be keenly felt.He went on: “Leo’s legacy will live on forever because of what he achieved, for never giving up and for showing that dreams are hard-won, pursued and, in the end, fulfilled.“We’d spoken in the final days of the World Cup about how the final would surely be his last match, but even so, we weren’t prepared for that because of what he means to us.”Messi recently announced his retirement from international football, saying he had “nothing left to give’, having “given it my all”.Messi and Paredes tasted World Cup glory together in 2022GettyHe captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, but fell agonisingly short of a second triumph against Spain in his final game for his country.Messi scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina to become his country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.He also inspired his national team to Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024, and won an Olympic gold medal with his nation in 2008.With Messi announcing the end of his 21-year international career on social media, Paredes paid tribute to him in a touching comment.Responding to Messi’s post on Monday, Paredes called the former Barcelona icon ‘the greatest of all’ in his tribute. He wrote: “Thank you for absolutely everything. You are and always will be the greatest of all. We love you, captain.’