PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leandro Daniel Paredes |
| Date of Birth | 29/06/1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | San Justo, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in / 182 cm |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder / Central Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #5 (Boca Juniors) / #5 (Argentina) |
| Current Club | Boca Juniors |
| Previous Clubs | Boca Juniors, Chievo Verona (loan), AS Roma, Empoli (loan), Zenit St. Petersburg, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus (loan) |
| International Caps | 80+ |
| International Goals | 5 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022 (Winner), 2026 |
| Nicknames | “El 5”, “El Socio de Riquelme” |
The Frozen Moment
The Superclásico against River Plate at the Monumental. Boca Juniors were under pressure. The stadium was rocking, the tension unbearable. And then, Leandro Paredes took control.
It was a performance that captured everything about his footballing identity. He received the ball under pressure, his vision spotting passes that others couldn’t see. He circulated possession, kept the team flowing, and delivered line-breaking passes with the outside of his right foot—a trademark of his quality. One of those passes won a penalty. He stepped up and converted it himself, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. He ran to the corner, kissed the Boca badge, and raised his hands to his ears in the iconic “Topo Gigio” celebration made famous by Juan Román Riquelme.
“He never just hoofs the ball, he always looks for his teammates,” the commentators noted. “He is aggressive when he can be and imposes a different, stellar presence.”
At 31 years old, Paredes had returned home. He had left Boca as a teenager, conquered Europe, won a World Cup, and come back to lead his boyhood club. The man who had once idolised Riquelme was now the captain, the heartbeat, the soul of Boca Juniors.
Origins
Leandro Daniel Paredes was born in San Justo, in the heart of La Matanza, Buenos Aires, on June 29, 1994. His parents are Daniel Paredes and Miriam Benítez, and he has two sisters, Liana and Bárbara.
His football journey began in the most traditional way—in the baby football club Brisas del Sur in Mataderos, before joining Boca Juniors’ youth academy at the age of eight. Originally, he was formed as an enganche—a classic Argentine playmaker—with Juan Román Riquelme as his idol. He made his debut for Boca’s first team in 2011, but he was still a teenager finding his way.
It was in Europe that Paredes would be definitively converted into a defensive midfielder—the “5” that he is today. The raw materials were always there: the vision, the passing range, the composure. But it was the European game that taught him to sit in front of the defence and dictate the tempo.
The European Forge
Paredes’ European journey was a masterclass in perseverance. He joined AS Roma in 2014, where he spent two seasons either side of a loan at Empoli. He then moved to Zenit St. Petersburg, where he won the Russian Premier League.
In January 2019, Paris Saint-Germain came calling. At PSG, Paredes won four Ligue 1 titles and was a key part of the team that reached the 2020 Champions League final. He was at the peak of his powers, a composed and elegant midfield general.
A loan to Juventus followed, and then a return to Roma in 2023. But after his second spell at Roma, Paredes made the decision that would define his legacy: he returned to Boca Juniors in mid-2025, his boyhood club. The move was emotional. He had fulfilled his dreams in Europe. Now, he wanted to give back to the club that had made him.
The Anatomy of His Game
Paredes is the classic Argentine “5”—a deep-lying playmaker who controls the tempo of the game from in front of the defence. In possession, his vision and passing range are elite. He can find passing lanes that others can’t see, and his use of the outside of his right foot is a signature of his quality. He never just hoofs the ball; he always looks to find a teammate, keeping possession and building attacks. He is also a threat from set-pieces, having converted 92.9% of his competitive penalties—the best in the Argentina squad.
Out of possession, he is aggressive and intelligent. He reads the game well, intercepts passes, and breaks up opposition attacks. He is disciplined in his positioning, rarely caught out of shape. Physically, he has become more robust over the years. At 6-foot-0 and 75 kilograms, he uses his body to shield the ball and draw fouls.
His leadership is perhaps his most underrated quality. As captain of Boca Juniors, he is the first off the bus, the first onto the pitch, the man with a direct line to the referee. In the Argentina national team, he is one of the experienced leaders, a player who provides balance to a midfield full of talent.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (Career Overview)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Boca Juniors | Liga Argentina | 12 | 1 | — | |
| 2026 | Boca Juniors | Copa Libertadores | 6 | 1 | — | |
| 2024/25 | Roma | Serie A | 22 | 3 | — | |
| 2024/25 | Roma | Europa League | 8 | 1 | — | |
| 2023/24 | Roma | Serie A | 34 | 3 | — | |
| 2023/24 | Roma | Europa League | 13 | 2 | — | |
| 2022/23 | Juventus | Serie A | 25 | 1 | — | |
| 2021/22 | PSG | Ligue 1 | 15 | 1 | — | |
| 2020/21 | PSG | Ligue 1 | 21 | 1 | — | |
| 2019/20 | PSG | Ligue 1 | 17 | 0 | — | |
| 2018/19 | Zenit/P SG | RPL/Ligue 1 | 22 | 1 | — | |
| 2017/18 | Zenit | RPL | 28 | 4 | — | |
| TOTAL | — | — | 395+ | 27 | — |
TABLE B: International Career
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 80+ |
| Senior Goals | 5 |
| Debut | 13/06/2017 vs Singapore |
| World Cups | 2022 (Winner), 2026 |
| Copa Américas | 2021 (Winner), 2024 (Winner) |
| Finalissima | 2022 (Winner) |
TABLE C: The Impact Table (Major Honours)
| Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 2022 |
| Copa América | 2021, 2024 |
| CONMEBOL-UEFA Finalissima | 2022 |
| Ligue 1 | 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23 |
| Russian Premier League | 2018-19 |
| Total Major Trophies | 8 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Boca Debut | Made first-team debut |
| 2014 | Roma Move | Signed for Serie A club |
| 2017 | Argentina Debut | First cap vs Singapore |
| 2019 | PSG Move | Signed for Ligue 1 giants |
| 2022 | World Cup Winner | Converted penalty in final shootout |
| 2024 | Copa América Winner | Second consecutive title |
| 2025 | Boca Return | Returned to boyhood club |
| 2026 | World Cup Campaign | Key player for Argentina |
TABLE E: World Cup Record (Tournament-by-Tournament)
| Tournament | Host Nation | Apps | Goals | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Qatar | 5 | 0 | Winner |
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | 4+ | 0 | Final |
| TOTAL | — | 9+ | 0 | — |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent performer at the highest level for over a decade. He has won league titles in three countries, won the World Cup, and won back-to-back Copa Américas. He has played over 370 professional matches and made over 80 appearances for Argentina. He is one of the most decorated Argentine players of his generation.
The Present Tense
Leandro Paredes has established himself as a leader for both Boca Juniors and Argentina. At Boca, he is the captain, the heartbeat, the soul of the team. His influence is total: he is the first off the bus, the man who keeps the team together, the player who dictates the rhythm of the game.
For Argentina, Paredes is a key squad player. He has been part of the Argentina squad that won four international titles in the last five years. While he is not always a starter, he is a crucial option—a player who provides balance, clarity, and experience when he comes on. In the 2024 Copa América final, he came on late to provide order and composure, a role he has perfected.
His journey has been defined by resilience. He left Boca as a teenager, conquered Europe, and came back to lead his club. He has been part of Argentina’s golden generation, a team that has won everything. His story is a testament to the power of patience, belief, and an unending love for his boyhood club.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Paredes is a devoted family man. He is married to Camila Galante, whom he met when they were both preadolescents. They have three children: Victoria (born 2013), Giovanni (born 2016), and Lautaro. His wife has been his support throughout his European journey and has even launched her own cosmetics line. His personality is defined by his connection to his roots. The “Topo Gigio” celebration, a tribute to Riquelme, is a demonstration of his love for Boca and its history. He kisses the badge, he leads by example, he lives the dream of every Boca fan.
The Verdict from the Camp
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head coach:
Paredes is a key part of the Argentina squad, a player who provides experience and balance to a talented midfield.
Leandro Paredes, after the Superclásico:
“I felt a pain at 20 minutes of the first half and I held on as long as I could. Luckily I have teammates who give everything for this shirt. We have a team and young players who want to grow and win, I hope we can give joy to all the people.”
Where Next?
Leandro Paredes is 32 years old and playing some of the best football of his career. He has won the World Cup, two Copa Américas, and four Ligue 1 titles. He has captained his boyhood club, Boca Juniors. He has played in two World Cups and is chasing a second title. His legacy is secure. He is one of the most decorated Argentine players of his generation. He is the captain of Boca Juniors, a symbol of the club’s history and identity. He is the player who returned home to lead his team.
His future is at Boca Juniors, where he is under contract and leading the team. He has no intention of returning to Europe, having signed a long-term deal that demonstrates his commitment to Argentina. The journey from San Justo, to World Cup glory has been remarkable. The boy who idolised Riquelme became the captain of Boca. The player who left as a teenager returned as a world champion. And the story is far from over.
