Argentina Thug Leandro Paredes’ Sister Makes Bizarre Claim About the Falklands Hours After National Team’s Shameful World Cup Final Loss to Spain

The sister of Leandro Paredes has made a bizarre and unsettling claim about Argentina’s disputed claim to the Falkland Islands just hours after her brother’s national team suffered a humiliating 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Barbara Paredes, addressing reporters back in Buenos Aires, suggested that she felt consoled by the fact that the islands remained under Argentine control. “We’re all delighted, but to be honest we didn’t expect to get this far, and having made it this far and come out on top against England – for us, that meant the world,” she told journalists. “We may not have the third or fourth star, but we’ve got the Falklands all to ourselves.”

Her comments came as Argentina’s campaign continued to be overshadowed by territorial disputes. The players had sung anti-English songs throughout the tournament, displayed banners asserting their claim to the British Overseas Territory, and faced accusations of whipping up nationalist sentiment. Even the head coach Lionel Scaloni had tried to downplay the issue before the final, insisting the match should not become about the conflict.

The islands, long a source of tension between Argentina and Britain, have been under UK control since 1833. Argentina refers to them as Las Malvinas. In 1982, Buenos Aires launched an unsuccessful invasion that triggered the 10-week Falklands War. A 2013 referendum saw 99.8 per cent of Falkland Islanders vote to remain British. Yet Argentina has repeatedly sought to assert sovereignty, with foreign minister Pablo Quirno describing the island population as “artificially implanted by the occupying power” days before the semi-final against England. Downing Street firmly rejected the claim.

Argentina also lodged a formal diplomatic protest over what it called the “unlawful” movement of a Royal Navy patrol ship near the South Atlantic archipelago. In an official statement, the foreign affairs ministry expressed its “strongest rejection” of HMS Medway’s movements and accused Britain of a “military incursion” into its waters. No 10 confirmed that the UK had notified Argentina in advance of a routine logistics visit and emphasised that the British Navy always operates in full compliance with international law.

Vice-president Victoria Villarruel had gone further in the lead-up to the final, describing England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates.” She tweeted a victory message at full time that appeared to celebrate a win that never came, accompanied by a video featuring Argentinian soldiers. Premier League players Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez were among those who waved the Falklands banner after the semi-final, while others such as Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez were set to return to their clubs after the tournament.

Despite calls from FIFA for sanctions over the political banners, the organisation has taken no action against the players. In 2014, Argentina players were only fined a paltry £20,000 for a similar display. By contrast, UEFA issued one-match bans to Spain’s Rodri and Alvaro Morata for leading chants of “Gibraltar is Spanish” after Euro 2024. Donald Trump’s White House reportedly backed Argentina’s banner, citing the country’s First Amendment rights. President Javier Milei later claimed his government was “getting closer every day” to recovering sovereignty over the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

With the final whistle sounding, Paredes was one of several players who mentally collapsed in the face of defeat. The Boca Juniors midfielder was sent off in the 93rd minute for a reckless challenge on Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, and he later appeared involved in post-match scuffles. At full time, he was one of those who throttled Eric Garcia, wrestled Barcelona star Gavi to the ground, and became embroiled in ugly altercations alongside Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Nicolas Otamendi. FIFA has now opened a second investigation into Argentina’s conduct, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess the incident.

Barbara Paredes’ extraordinary statement — suggesting that the loss was somehow offset by Argentina’s continued claim to the Falklands — has sparked widespread outrage and criticism. Many observers have questioned the appropriateness of her remarks, especially given the sensitive nature of the dispute and the fact that the Falkland Islanders overwhelmingly support British sovereignty. Her comments have been seen by some as a deliberate attempt to inflame tensions rather than offer genuine consolation to the nation after one of the biggest moments in Argentine football history.

The clash between national sentiment and sporting integrity has defined much of Argentina’s campaign. While the players and supporters have been passionate, the repeated displays of the Malvinas banner and anti-English songs have been widely criticised by football authorities and the international community. The lack of sanctions has further fuelled debate about the balance between freedom of expression and the rules governing major tournaments.

As the team returns to club football, the focus will inevitably turn to individual careers. Many players, including Paredes, will resume their domestic and European commitments, but the tarnished image of the national side and the ongoing territorial controversy may continue to shadow them. For Barbara Paredes, her bizarre intervention has only added another layer of controversy to an already turbulent chapter in Argentina’s football story.

The World Cup final loss has been a painful reminder of how national pride can sometimes overshadow sporting values. While the players gave everything on the pitch, the behaviour and statements surrounding the tournament have left a lasting impression on fans and observers alike. The Falklands issue, once a distant geopolitical dispute, has become intimately connected to the national team’s campaign, making any victory feel bittersweet at best.

As Argentina reflects on its World Cup journey, the contrast between the on-pitch drama and the off-pitch controversy is stark. The players’ shame after the final, combined with the sister of a disgraced Leandro Paredes making outlandish claims about the Falklands, serves as a stark reminder of how deeply the territorial question has become entangled with the team’s identity.

The story is likely to continue to resonate with football fans worldwide, who expect major tournaments to be moments of celebration rather than platforms for political statements or inflammatory rhetoric. The lack of sanctions from FIFA and the continued display of the banner have only heightened the sense that the tournament has been marred by issues that go beyond the sport itself.

Ultimately, the 2026 World Cup final will be remembered not only for Spain’s victory but also for the way in which the territorial dispute overshadowed the sporting spectacle. Barbara Paredes’ bizarre intervention has only amplified that sense of unease, turning what should have been a proud moment of national achievement into a further source of embarrassment for Argentina.

The Falklands question has long been a sensitive and complex issue between Britain and Argentina. With no realistic prospect of resolution in the near future, its influence on the national team’s campaign has been unavoidable. The players’ passion for their country is understandable, but the manner in which it has been expressed has often crossed into territory that many believe is inappropriate for a global sporting event.

As the dust settles on Argentina’s World Cup campaign, the focus will shift back to club football and individual performances. Yet the shadow of the final and the surrounding controversy will remain, particularly in light of the sister of a player involved in the post-match scuffles making such an extraordinary claim about the Falklands.

The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing national sentiment to overshadow the spirit of sport. It also highlights the challenges faced by football authorities in managing the line between political expression and tournament rules. For now, the focus remains on the players themselves and the lessons that can be learned from what was, ultimately, a disappointing ending to a remarkable campaign.