Leandro Paredes left out of Boca squad for Riestra clash after gruelling World Cup, Copa run

Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes will not be in the squad for the upcoming match against Riestra, coach Vasco Arruabarrena confirmed. The decision, described by the manager as a mandatory rest, marks the first time since late February that Paredes has been left out of a Boca matchday squad when not on international duty.

Paredes returned to Buenos Aires on Monday night after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain on Sunday, July 19. By Wednesday he was already on the pitch against O’Higgins in the Copa Sudamericana, playing despite a lingering ankle injury. That quick turnaround convinced Arruabarrena that the midfielder needed a break.

Why Paredes is resting

Paredes himself revealed the situation in a press conference after the 2-0 win over O’Higgins. “The coach told me to take two days off, so I won’t train on Friday or Saturday,” he said. The rest period means he will not feature against Riestra, a match Boca are expected to win comfortably.

The decision is not punitive. Boca’s coaching staff, led by Arruabarrena, have emphasised that Paredes’ commitment to both club and country is not in question. The midfielder has played through injury and fatigue since the start of the 2026 season, and the club’s medical team has been monitoring his workload.

The gruelling schedule

Since the 2026 World Cup began, Paredes has played in seven matches for Argentina, including the final against Spain. He then returned to Buenos Aires, trained with Boca, and started the Copa Sudamericana fixture on Thursday, July 23. That match came only three days after the World Cup final, a turnaround that would be unusual for any player.

The article from Ole, which first reported the rest decision, detailed Paredes’ recent history of availability. From February 24 – when he missed a Copa Argentina match against Gimnasia de Chivilcoy while recovering from an ankle injury – Boca played 19 matches. Paredes was available for 17 of them, missing only one match in April (a 1-1 draw with Independiente, when Boca fielded a reserve team) and one in July (against Sarmiento in the Copa Argentina).

In between, he played through a muscle injury that forced him off early in the Superclásico against River Plate at the Monumental, then returned four days later to play in a 4-0 win over Defensa y Justicia. He also played the final stretch of Boca’s Copa Libertadores campaign while carrying the same injury.

What this means for Boca

The rest is a short-term measure. Boca face a crucial match in Chile on Wednesday, July 29, against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent in the Copa Sudamericana knockout stage. Paredes is expected to be available for that fixture. The club’s priority is to keep him fit for the remainder of the Clausura and the continental competition.

The decision also highlights the delicate balance between club and international commitments. Paredes, who is expected to remain part of Argentina’s squad under Lionel Scaloni for the remainder of the 2026 cycle, has shown a willingness to play through fatigue. Boca’s coaching staff are now managing that enthusiasm to avoid a longer-term injury.

Key facts

For Boca fans and followers of Argentine football, this rest is a sign of careful squad management. Paredes has been central to both club and national team, and his absence against Riestra is a calculated move to preserve his condition for more important matches ahead. The Riestra game, while a league fixture, is seen as a lower-risk opportunity to give the midfielder a break.

Source: Ole – “Paredes no juega en Boca: cuándo había sido su última vez sin concentrar” (https://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/boca-paredes-regreso-riestra-concentrado-arruabarrena-juega_0_pxPBRIOvyd.html)