Leandro Paredes couldn't even make it through his third match back from the World Cup without causing another scene. Boca Juniors' 2-2 draw at Newell's Old Boys on Sunday quickly became secondary as the midfielder found himself at the centre of the game's biggest talking point again.
Paredes was shown a yellow card after firing the ball directly into an opponent who was already on the ground.
The midfielder found himself back in the spotlight just three matches after returning from Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain.
He was at the center of a mass confrontation that FIFA is still investigating.
What Happened Between Leandro Paredes And Facundo Guch
The incident began with a foul on the edge of Boca's penalty area that left Newell's midfielder Facundo Guch on the turf. When the referee blew for the free kick, the ball rolled loose to Paredes.
Instead of releasing it back into play, Paredes drove the ball straight into Guch's back.
Paredes drove the ball straight into Guch's back as he tried to get back up, knocking him down a second time. Newell's players reacted immediately, surrounding Paredes on the edge of the box and sparking a brief confrontation.
Boca teammates stepped in to pull him away before things escalated, and the referee opted for a yellow card. Boca came from behind to draw 2-2, but the incident dominated coverage of the match afterward.
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How The Incident Revived Memories Of Paredes' World Cup Controversy
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Paredes kicked the ball into the Netherlands' dugout right after full time in Argentina's quarter-final win. The act sparked a confrontation that closely resembled the scenes that unfolded on Sunday.
Two incidents, four years apart, in two different countries, share the same specific detail: Paredes responding to frustration by kicking the ball at another person, rather than simply arguing or losing his temper verbally.
Supporters were quick to draw the comparison online. As one fan wrote: "He never learns."
Why The Timing Complicates FIFA's Ongoing Case
Paredes was sent off in the closing stages of July's World Cup final after a post-match confrontation with Spain's players; a red card FIFA later suspended pending its own investigation. His return to the pitch this week quickly brought that history back into focus.
FIFA has since opened formal disciplinary proceedings against Paredes, teammate Nahuel Molina and Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala over that incident, with no ruling handed down yet. Sunday's yellow card is a domestic league matter and has no direct bearing on FIFA's international case.
It's unclear whether FIFA will factor Sunday's incident into its decision at all. What is clear is that another widely publicised flashpoint is unlikely to do Paredes any favours while that process remains unresolved.
