Pablo Gavi has not accused Argentina of corruption nor made any public statements regarding the altercation with Leandro Paredes after the 2026 World Cup final. The alleged remarks that have been circulating on social media are fabricated, originating from a satirical account, as verified by Verificat and reported by La Vanguardia on Monday.
The rumor, widely shared on X, falsely attributed these words to the Spanish midfielder in a supposed interview: "This time did Infantino not answer your calls?" followed by the phrase "football has finally defeated corruption."
However, Verificat confirmed that the original post came from an account clearly labeled as a parody. The account's biography explicitly states: "Fiction and satire of football, don't believe anything."
The image used to lend authenticity to the post was not from a press conference after the final. Instead, it was a screenshot from a video released by Diario AS on June 29, where Gavi discussed the Spanish national team without mentioning corruption, bribes, or the Argentine team.
Gavi's Celebration Message
Rather than fueling controversy, the Spanish international shared a heartfelt message on social media on Monday, celebrating the World Cup victory and reflecting on his journey to the pinnacle of football.
"Let no one wake me from this dream, the dream of a kid from Los Palacios who aspired to win the World Cup with his country, playing in the village square, and now, at 21, achieving it in New York with a group of incredible teammates destined for the history books," he wrote.
Gavi also recounted the challenging years marked by injuries and expressed gratitude for the support of those around him.
"My story is one of hardship due to injuries in recent years, but thanks to my family, friends, and all the hard work and sacrifice, I can now say it was worth it, and I would go through it all again," he stated.
He also thanked his family, Real Betis, La Masia, and the coaches who influenced his career, dedicating the triumph to his late grandmother: "I am sure you've helped me from above."
Silence on the Altercation
As of now, neither Gavi, nor Eric García, nor Leandro Paredes have commented publicly on the post-match incident at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Spanish coach, Luis de la Fuente, also refrained from addressing the episode in his post-game remarks.
Footage from the match shows Paredes grabbing Eric García by the neck and pushing Gavi as he tried to intervene, actions for which Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić issued a red card once the game had ended, a decision allowed by IFAB rules while the referee is still on the field.
The origins of the scuffle remain disputed. Marca reported that it started with a punch from Argentina's Nahuel Molina to Spain's Rodri, though none of the players involved have confirmed this sequence of events.
Spain secured their second World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute of extra time. While speculation about the post-match events continues, Verificat's investigation clarifies that Gavi's alleged accusations against Argentina are entirely fictional, stemming from a satirical source.
Clarifying the Gavi Controversy
What did Gavi allegedly say about Argentina?
Gavi was falsely attributed with saying sarcastic remarks about corruption involving Argentina, but these comments were fabricated by a satirical account and are not true.
Has Gavi made any official statements regarding the incident?
No, Gavi has not made any public statements about the altercation with Leandro Paredes after the World Cup final.
What was the outcome of the World Cup final?
Spain won their second World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time.