Leandro Paredes, the Argentine football star, recently shared a story about a misunderstanding that led to an unexpected tension with none other than Lionel Messi.
The incident, which took place during a Champions League match, left Messi refusing to speak to Paredes for several months.
Paredes, who now plays for Roma, reflected on how a comment he made during the game between Barcelona and PSG in 2021 was misinterpreted by Messi, resulting in a tense period between the two.
At the time, Messi was playing for Barcelona, and PSG was handling them in a thrilling 4-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 clash.
The return leg ended in a 1-1 draw, sealing the deal for PSG.
The Misunderstanding That Sparked the Silence
During the match, Paredes made a comment to his PSG teammates, but Messi overheard it and wrongly believed it was aimed at him.
This misunderstanding led Messi to shut Paredes out completely.
According to Paredes, the silence lasted for about three months, leaving him feeling terrible about the situation.
Paredes explained, “I sent him a message the next day and again 15 days later, explaining that it wasn’t meant for him, that I wasn’t trying to offend him. But he didn’t respond.”
For Paredes, the silence was deafening, and he was unsure of what to expect next. “Three months went by without speaking.
I thought, ‘Now I have to see how he reacts.’”
An Unexpected Reconnection
Despite the cold shoulder, Paredes says the tension finally broke when they met again while on international duty.
Paredes described how Messi walked into his room early one morning and broke the ice with a playful comment.
“I was brushing my teeth, and Messi came in, threw some water at me, and said, ‘What are you doing up so early?’”
For Paredes, this unexpected reconnection was a relief. The silence had weighed heavily on him, and he was grateful that Messi didn’t hold a grudge.
He later referred to Messi as “a phenomenon,” acknowledging that the relationship had healed despite the awkward start.
Reflecting on the Tension
The incident was not the first time Paredes had mentioned tension with Messi.
Back in 2022, he jokingly said Messi “wanted to kill me” after the comment on the pitch.
At the time, Paredes admitted he felt like going home due to the tension.
However, things eventually smoothed over between the two.
Months later, Messi joined PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, and the two teammates went on to win domestic trophies with PSG.
They also celebrated the ultimate prize when Argentina triumphed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, cementing their bond as teammates once again.
Paredes and Messi’s relationship, now stronger than ever, is a testament to how time and communication can heal even the most awkward of misunderstandings.