In the world of professional football, camaraderie and competition often go hand in hand. But even among teammates, tensions can rise in unexpected ways. A recently resurfaced story involving Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes highlights just that—a misunderstanding during a Champions League match that led to an astonishing three-month silence between the two Argentine stars.
The Incident: A Misunderstood Comment
The event took place in 2021 when Messi was still leading Barcelona, and Paredes was playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). During a heated Round of 16 clash in the Champions League, Kylian Mbappé’s brilliance had all but sealed a commanding 4-1 victory for PSG in the first leg. As emotions ran high on the pitch, Paredes made a comment to his PSG teammates—one that Messi overheard and mistakenly believed was directed at him.
Though Paredes insists the remark was not meant to offend Messi, the Argentine legend took it personally. What followed was an eerie silence from one of football’s most respected figures, as Messi refused to acknowledge Paredes for three long months, despite Paredes’ repeated attempts to reach out and clarify the situation.
Messi’s Silence: A Reflection of His Competitive Nature?
Messi has often been described as a humble and reserved individual, but those who know him well understand that he possesses an intense competitive spirit. His refusal to engage with Paredes for such an extended period suggests a level of pride and sensitivity that fans rarely see. It also speaks to the deep emotions involved in football—not just in victories, but also in defeats.
For Messi, Barcelona’s crushing loss to PSG in the Champions League was a bitter pill to swallow. The club was struggling on multiple fronts, and the defeat marked another step in their European decline. Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that Messi took any perceived slight from an opponent, even a fellow Argentine, to heart.
Paredes’ Frustration: A Difficult Three Months
From Paredes’ perspective, the ordeal must have been particularly frustrating. In an interview with Infobae, he revealed how hard he tried to mend fences, sending messages the next day and again two weeks later, but receiving no response.
“We spent about three months without speaking, I had a terrible time,” Paredes admitted. “I thought, ‘Now I have to see how he reacts.’”
For a player who looked up to Messi not only as a teammate but also as a national icon, being shut out in this way would have been a tough experience. Paredes even confessed that the tension made him “want to go home” after the initial confrontation.
Breaking the Ice: Messi’s Playful Return
Despite the prolonged silence, Messi eventually broke the ice in his own unique way. When the two met again on international duty for Argentina, Messi casually entered Paredes’ room and playfully threw water on him.
“What are you doing up so early?” Messi joked, acting as if nothing had happened.
This small but lighthearted gesture showed Messi’s ability to move past grudges in his own time and in his own way. While he may have held onto his frustration for months, he ultimately chose to mend the relationship with humor rather than confrontation.
Lessons from the Messi-Paredes Rift
This story serves as a reminder that even at the highest levels of football, emotions can run deep. It also highlights the power dynamics within teams—how words, even when unintentional, can have significant consequences.
Messi’s long silence can be seen as an example of his unwavering passion for the game. But it also illustrates the complexities of relationships in football. Paredes, on the other hand, showed patience and humility, waiting for Messi to come around rather than forcing a resolution.
Ironically, just months after the incident, Messi and Paredes became club teammates when Messi joined PSG in the summer of 2021. Their relationship was further solidified in December 2022, when they celebrated Argentina’s World Cup triumph together.
In the end, what could have been a lasting grudge turned into just another chapter in their footballing journey—one that proves even legends like Messi experience moments of misunderstanding, just like the rest of us.