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ALL ABOUT THE FOOTBALLER LEANDRO PAREDES
Leandro Paredes is one of those footballers who doesn't go unnoticed: elegant with the ball, intense without it, and possessing a strong personality that has led him to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world. From his humble beginnings in Argentina to lifting the World Cup with the national team, his story reflects effort, passion, and talent. In this article, you'll discover his journey through clubs, his achievements, statistics, and interesting facts that show why Paredes is a modern icon of the Argentine midfield.
The Beginnings of a Boca Talent
Leandro Daniel Paredes was born on June 29, 1994, in San Justo, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Raised in a humble, football-loving family, he dreamed of playing at La Bombonera from a young age. His talent was evident from childhood: a technically gifted midfielder with exceptional vision and a composure that caught the attention of even the most demanding coaches.
At the age of eight, he joined the youth divisions of Boca Juniors, one of the country's most iconic clubs. In the youth ranks, Paredes developed into one of the club's most promising young talents. His idol was Juan Román Riquelme, and it's no coincidence that his style has some of Riquelme's composure, touch, and intelligence. Leandro Paredes made his official debut for Boca Juniors on November 6, 2010, at just 16 years old, under the guidance of Claudio Borghi. His technical skill and personality quickly made him stand out. Although his natural position was attacking midfielder, over time he moved deeper on the field, transforming into a modern "5": a playmaker from deep, capable of distributing and winning back possession. Professional debut: 2010 with Boca Juniors. Age at debut: 16 years old. First goal: 2012 against Argentinos Juniors. Matches with Boca: 31. At Boca he demonstrated personality and character, qualities that opened the doors to Europe for him at a very young age. In 2014, he was transferred to Roma in Italy, the first step in a journey that would take him to the biggest stages of world football.
Europe and the Evolution of a Modern Midfielder
In 2014, Paredes arrived at AS Roma on loan from Boca Juniors. Italian football, tactical and demanding, was the perfect school to develop his discipline and his reading of the game. There he began to transform: he left behind the role of the classic playmaker and established himself as a central midfielder, a player who balances the team with precise passes, control, and outstanding positional intelligence.
Time in Italy and Russia
After his loan, Roma decided to buy him outright, but he was loaned to Empoli to get playing time. At Empoli, he established himself and showed that he could perform at the highest level. In the 2016-2017 season, he returned to Roma and became an important part of the midfield alongside De Rossi and Nainggolan. His passing accuracy and long-range shooting made him stand out. In 2017, Zenit Saint Petersburg paid €23 million for his transfer. In Russia, Paredes became the leader of the midfield. He played three brilliant seasons, being key in winning the Russian Premier League and the team's qualification for the Champions League. His footballing maturity was already evident: he knew when to pause, when to accelerate, and how to control the tempo of a match.
Clubs in Europe: Roma, Empoli, Zenit, PSG, Juventus.
Titles at Zenit: Russian League 2018-2019, Super Cup 2019.
Goals with Zenit: 10 in 61 matches.
The move to PSG and the reunion with stars
In 2019, Paris Saint-Germain signed Paredes for 40 million euros. There he shared a locker room with stars like Neymar, Mbappé, Verratti, and Di María. Although he wasn't always an undisputed starter, his character and quality made him a reliable player in important moments. At PSG, he won multiple domestic titles and was part of the team that reached the 2020 Champions League final, losing to Bayern Munich. Titles with PSG: 3 Ligue 1 titles, 3 Coupe de France titles, 2 Trophée des Champions. Matches played: Over 110. Assists with PSG: 10. Style: Controlling midfielder with vertical passing. In 2022, he was loaned to Juventus, where he brought experience and leadership to a young midfield. Despite not having the brilliance of his early years, Paredes showed that he remains a player capable of supporting the tactical structure of any team.
Argentine National Team, Curiosities and Legacy
Paredes debuted with the Argentine National Team in 2017, during the Jorge Sampaoli era. Since then, he has become a fundamental piece in the Albiceleste's midfield. His quiet leadership and tactical intelligence made him the perfect partner for Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández during the most glorious period in recent Argentine football.
Champion of America and the World
With Lionel Scaloni at the helm, Paredes was a starter in the 2021 Copa América, where Argentina broke a 28-year title drought. His presence in midfield was key to balancing the team. A year later, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was part of the world champion squad. Although he didn't start every match, his introduction at crucial moments—such as in the semifinal against Croatia—brought control and character to the team. His often silent role was valued by the entire group.
Debut with the National Team: 2017 against Singapore.
International matches: more than 60.
Titles: Copa América 2021, Finalissima 2022, Qatar World Cup 2022.
Goals with the National Team: 4.
Personality and style on the field
Leandro Paredes is known for his strong character and his passion in every play. He doesn't shy away from big games and is willing to put his body where others won't. Off the field, his charisma and friendship with several of his teammates have made him one of the group's leaders. On social media, he's seen very close to Messi, De Paul, and Lo Celso, with whom he shares not only the pitch but also a brotherhood that transcends football. His playing style blends elegance and toughness: he knows when to clear a play with a pass and when to stop it with a tactical foul. He's the kind of midfielder who provides balance, brings order, and understands the rhythm of the game. He doesn't seek the limelight, but when he's not there, the team feels it.
Interesting Facts and Statistics
Paredes played as a striker in his early years at Boca before becoming a midfielder.
He admires Fernando Redondo and Juan Román Riquelme, whom he considers his footballing role models.
He has a tattoo of the World Cup trophy that he got after the title in Qatar.
During the World Cup, he created a viral moment when he kicked a ball forcefully at the Netherlands bench, igniting the tension of the match.
He loves Mate, Argentine music, and asado are customs he maintains even in Europe. In numbers, Leandro Paredes has played over 450 professional matches, with more than 30 goals and 40 assists. His average passing accuracy is around 89%, and his effectiveness in defensive duels places him among the most consistent midfielders in European football. With the national team, he is considered one of the tactical pillars of the Scaloni era, with a passing accuracy exceeding 90% at the Qatar World Cup. The legacy of a champion: Leandro Paredes represents the modern Argentine footballer: technically gifted, competitive, and with a winning mentality. He went from being a boy who dreamed of La Bombonera to lifting the World Cup alongside Messi. His journey, full of challenges, demonstrates that talent without hard work isn't enough, and that perseverance can take you to the highest level. Today, Paredes remains a key player for both his club and the national team. At 30, he combines experience, leadership, and a vision of the game that few possess. More than a midfielder, he is a symbol of Argentine grit and intelligence in contemporary football.
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