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Spain’s rising football star Lamine Yamal took a light-hearted jab at Argentina’s Leandro Paredes following the heated conclusion to the 2026 World Cup final. During La Roja’s triumphant parade in Madrid, the teenager was spotted holding a sign that humorously referenced the midfielder’s on-field scuffle with Gavi.

Yamal’s playful celebration

Spain’s World Cup victory parade drew nearly two million ecstatic supporters to the streets of Madrid, but it was a particular moment involving Yamal that stole the spotlight on social media. The young Barcelona winger was seen engaging with a cheeky sign tossed from the crowd, parodying a well-known celebrity boxing event. The banner read: “Velada del año VII: Paredes vs Gavi.”

The 19-year-old appeared to thoroughly enjoy the light-hearted humour, grinning as he acknowledged the sign during the open-top bus celebration. Yamal’s energy was infectious throughout the festivities—he even grabbed the microphone to sing along to Bad Bunny tracks while dancing with his close friend and Spain team-mate Nico Williams. The jubilant atmosphere stood in sharp contrast to the tense and chaotic scenes that had unfolded in New Jersey just a day earlier.

Tempers flare after the final whistle

The friction erupted immediately after Spain’s narrow 1-0 win, as several Argentina players lost their composure. Paredes was a central figure in the confrontation, seen grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat before forcefully pushing Gavi to the ground.

The Boca Juniors midfielder was ultimately shown a red card, though he later insisted that his side had conducted themselves appropriately under the circumstances.

Despite clear footage of the skirmish, Paredes maintained his stance in his post-match comments. Sharing his thoughts on social media, he wrote an emotional message: “Thank you, Argentina!!! I love you, today and always. Today, I write with a heavy heart, unable to give our country the happiness it deserves—but with immense pride for having given everything we had.”

Fernandez stands by Argentina’s approach

Paredes was not the only Albiceleste player to justify the team’s combative behaviour amid defeat. Enzo Fernandez, who had come under scrutiny for his involvement, defended the squad’s spirit and unity. “As time goes by, you realise there’s something much greater than just a result,” he said.

He continued: “It shows that competing isn’t only about winning, but about giving your all for the shirt and never giving up. Being part of this team, which has always fought to the end and represented our colours with pride, humility, and dedication, is something I’ll always treasure. I want to thank all the Argentine fans. Thank you for always supporting us.”

Pundits criticise Argentina’s actions

However, the defiant tone from Argentina’s camp did not sit well with several football legends. Wayne Rooney was especially critical, condemning the lack of sportsmanship and pointing to Lionel Messi’s attempts to sway the referee’s decisions. Rooney commented, “It’s desperation. Argentina play that way, and we’ve seen it before.”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards shared similar views, describing the post-match brawl as “embarrassing” to witness on football’s biggest stage.