Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes have celebrated league titles, won the FIFA World Cup together and formed one of Argentina’s strongest partnerships in recent years.
But behind the success was a remarkable story that very few fans knew.
Paredes has revealed that Messi once refused to speak to him for three months after believing the midfielder had insulted him during a UEFA Champions League match.
The incident occurred long before the pair lifted the World Cup together, proving that even the closest teammates can experience difficult moments.
The Incident That Changed Everything
The misunderstanding happened during Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16 in 2021.
During the match, Paredes made a comment to one of his teammates. Messi, who was playing for Barcelona at the time, overheard the remark and believed it was directed at him.
Although Paredes insisted the comment was misunderstood, the Argentine captain was unconvinced.
“We Didn’t Speak for Three Months”
Speaking about the incident, Paredes admitted it became one of the most uncomfortable periods of his career.
“We spent about three months without speaking. I had a terrible time.”
The midfielder explained that he immediately tried to repair the relationship.
He sent Messi a message the following day, apologised again two weeks later and insisted the words had never been aimed at him.
Despite those efforts, Messi did not reply.
According to Paredes, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner ignored every message for three months.
The Unexpected Reunion
Paredes admitted he became nervous when Argentina’s national team gathered for international duty.
He expected an awkward meeting after months of silence.
Instead, Messi walked into his room early in the morning, threw water at him and jokingly asked why he was awake so early.
That single moment immediately ended the disagreement.
Paredes described Messi as “a phenomenon” and revealed everything returned to normal from that day onward.
“He Wanted to Kill Me”
Speaking previously about the same incident, Paredes admitted just how angry Messi had been.
According to the midfielder, Messi believed he had shown him disrespect during the Champions League tie.
Paredes later joked that Messi “wanted to kill me” because of what had happened.
Fortunately, once the misunderstanding was cleared up, both players moved on and today laugh about the incident together.
Success After the Fallout
The disagreement did not affect their long-term relationship.
Later in 2021, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain, where the two Argentinians became teammates at club level.
Together they won two Ligue 1 titles before continuing to represent Argentina on the international stage.
Across club and country, Messi and Paredes have shared the pitch dozens of times, helping Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and reaching another World Cup final in 2026.
A Friendship Stronger Than Ever
What began as a misunderstanding eventually became another chapter in the friendship between two World Cup winners.
Paredes has repeatedly praised Messi’s personality and leadership, while Messi has continued to trust the midfielder both for Argentina and during their time together at PSG.
Their story serves as a reminder that even football’s greatest stars can experience disagreements—but mutual respect can overcome them.
Final Thoughts
Leandro Paredes’ revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into Lionel Messi’s competitive nature.
Although Messi refused to speak to his international teammate for three months, the disagreement ultimately strengthened rather than damaged their relationship.
Today, the pair remain among the most recognisable members of Argentina’s golden generation, proving that even the biggest misunderstandings can be left behind in pursuit of success.
