World Cup Final Referee Begged Lionel Messi to Control Leandro Paredes Before Full-Time Chaos

New footage from the World Cup final has revealed that referee Slavko Vincic made a direct plea to Lionel Messi to keep Leandro Paredes in check well before the Argentine midfielder’s violent outburst at the final whistle. The Slovenian official, speaking via the referee camera, can be heard urging the Argentina captain to intervene as tensions rose during the match against Spain.

“Messi, control Paredes. I don’t want to… he has yellow. Control please. Always, always,” Vincic said. The request came after Paredes, who had been introduced at half-time, received a yellow card just six minutes later. Despite the warning, the 32-year-old remained on the pitch until the end of normal time, though he was fortunate to avoid a second booking for a late foul.

When the final whistle confirmed Spain as champions, the situation deteriorated rapidly. Paredes lost control and directed his frustration at Spanish players. He grabbed defender Eric Garcia by the neck, pushed over Gavi and appeared to throw punches in the chaotic scenes that followed Argentina’s defeat. The unsavoury episode has led FIFA to open disciplinary proceedings against the midfielder, who faces three counts of assault in addition to a charge of unsporting behaviour.

Medal Presentation and Post-Tournament Return

The same referee-camera footage also captured the moment Vincic received his medal from Donald Trump. During the presentation the official was told he had done a “great job.” The clip provides a brief contrast to the disorder that marked the end of the final itself.

Since the tournament Paredes has returned to club duty with Boca Juniors. Two weeks ago he featured in a 2-2 draw away at Newell’s Old Boys in the Argentine Primera Division. Even in that domestic fixture the midfielder found himself at the centre of controversy. With Boca trailing 2-1 in the 68th minute, Paredes appeared to deliberately kick the ball at an opponent who had just been fouled and was still rising to his feet with his back turned. The action sparked an on-pitch melee and earned Paredes a yellow card.

Uncertainty Over International Future

In the aftermath of the World Cup final Paredes has spoken openly about the possibility of stepping away from international football. Speaking to ESPN he described the need for careful reflection. “For many, it will be the time to decide if to continue. It was a great journey. Maintaining that level – getting the group to continue to function as it has – will be very difficult, and there are many factors to consider,” he said. “Decisions must be taken calmly. I don’t know yet if I’m ready to continue. It’s a process that takes time to assimilate and mature. It will take time to digest what we’ve been through. The pain of losing the World Cup final will stay with us for a long time, because we came so close once again. I think we played in a World Cup where people saw themselves in us, and that’s very rewarding. In that sense, I’m happy.”

The comments suggest a player still processing both the disappointment of the final and the personal consequences of his actions after the whistle.

Enzo Fernandez Faces Mixed Reception at Chelsea

Paredes’ international colleague Enzo Fernandez has encountered a complicated atmosphere on his return to Chelsea. When his name was read out before kick-off there were boos from sections of the crowd. The reaction became more mixed after the hour mark when he entered the game as a substitute for Reece James. Some supporters continued to boo while others sang his name, a pattern that persisted whenever he received the ball in midfield. Fernandez wore the captain’s armband for the final half-hour.

[Fifa] release ref cam footage of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
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The midfielder’s standing at Stamford Bridge has been uneasy since March, when he publicly stated that he dreamed of playing for Real Madrid. Then-manager Liam Rosenior responded by dropping him for two matches. Over the summer the prevailing view has been that Fernandez’s future lies away from Chelsea, yet the number of clubs capable of meeting the club’s valuation remains limited.

Manchester City emerged as the most prominent suitors. Chelsea set an unofficial deadline of 5pm on Friday for any serious offer, hoping to settle their squad before the season-opening match against Fulham on 24 August. That deadline passed without a bid materialising. It remains possible that a proposal in the region of £120 million before the 1 September transfer window closes could still test Chelsea’s resolve. In the meantime the club’s supporters appear divided in their feelings toward the player.

Lingering Questions After the Final

The newly released referee footage adds a further layer to the narrative of the World Cup final. Vincic’s early attempt to enlist Messi’s help in managing Paredes indicates that the official had already identified the midfielder as a potential flashpoint. The fact that Paredes nevertheless reached full-time and then became the central figure in the post-match disorder has only intensified scrutiny of both his conduct and the disciplinary process that has followed.

For Argentina the pain of defeat remains fresh, as Paredes’ own words make clear. For Chelsea the situation surrounding Fernandez continues to generate uncertainty both on the terraces and in the transfer market. The contrast between the solemn medal presentation captured on the referee camera and the chaotic scenes that preceded it serves as a reminder of how quickly the tone of a major final can shift once the whistle has gone. As FIFA’s proceedings against Paredes advance and the Premier League season begins, both players remain under the spotlight for reasons that extend well beyond their performances on the pitch.