Leandro Paredes could face further disciplinary action after being sent off following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, drawing comparisons with Zinedine Zidane’s infamous dismissal in the 2006 final.
Paredes was shown a red card after the final whistle for allegedly grabbing Spain defender Eric García by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground during a mass confrontation. The incident followed Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss.
The episode has revived memories of Zidane’s headbutt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin. Zidane later apologised for setting a poor example but insisted he did not regret his reaction, saying, “I can’t regret it, because that would mean he was right to have said what he did.”
Materazzi later claimed the exchange involved a remark about Zidane’s sister, not his mother, contradicting parts of Zidane’s original account.
Unlike the 2006 incident, there has been no public suggestion that Spain’s players provoked Argentina with similar remarks. FIFA is expected to review the post-match disorder, with Paredes among those who could face additional sanctions.
