PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicolás Paz Martínez |
| Date of Birth | 08/09/2004 (Age: 21) |
| Place of Birth | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain |
| Nationality | Argentine / Spanish |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in / 186 cm |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Squad Number | #18 (Argentina) |
| Current Club | Como 1907 |
| Previous Clubs | Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid |
| International Caps | 10 |
| International Goals | 5 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
The Frozen Moment
The Santiago Bernabéu. Champions League. November 29, 2023. The score was 2-2 against Napoli, and Real Madrid needed a spark. A 19-year-old substitute, born in Spain to an Argentine father, stepped onto the pitch and within minutes unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box. It was his first professional goal. It gave Real Madrid the lead. It made him the second-youngest Argentine after Lionel Messi to score in the Champions League.
Less than three years later, Nico Paz was wearing the Argentina shirt at the World Cup. The boy from Tenerife, who had never played football in Argentina, who had come through the ranks at Real Madrid’s La Fábrica, who had been courted by Spain and chose Argentina, was now sharing a dressing room with Messi.
For the 21-year-old midfielder, it was the realisation of a childhood dream. “Es un orgullo muy grande, un sueño que tengo desde que era chiquito,” he said. He had been playing for his country at the World Cup, just like his father Pablo had done in 1998.
Origins
Nico Paz was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on September 8, 2004. He is the son of Pablo Paz, the Argentine defender who played for Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, and Carla Martínez, a Spaniard. He holds dual Argentine and Spanish nationality.
His football journey began in the Spanish youth system. He played for CD San Juan and Tenerife before joining Real Madrid’s youth academy, La Fábrica, in 2016 at the age of 12. He progressed through every category from Infantil B to the Castilla.
“He was delighted to be called up to the national team,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. “If Real Madrid have a buy-back option for Nico Paz, I wouldn’t think twice.”
His father has been crucial to his development. “My father from a young age instilled in me the passion that the whole country has, he bought me the shirts with my name on them, always encouraging from a little further away than the others,” Paz said. He added: “That he played for the national team and a World Cup makes it all a little easier for me. From a young age he showed me that it was possible.”
The European Forge
Paz made his debut for Real Madrid Castilla on January 8, 2022, under manager Raúl González Blanco, coming on as a substitute. He made 53 appearances for the Castilla, scoring 12 goals. His first goal for the Castilla came in February 2023 against Córdoba.
His first-team debut for Real Madrid came on November 8, 2023, in a Champions League group match against Braga, replacing Federico Valverde. He made four La Liga appearances for the first team.
On August 25, 2024, Paz signed for Como 1907 in Serie A for €6 million. Real Madrid retained a buy-back clause and 50% of future sale rights. In his first season with Como, he was named the best under-23 player in Serie A. By the 2025-26 season, he had cemented his place as a key player.
The Anatomy of His Game
Paz is a left-footed, creative attacking midfielder with a natural feel for operating between the lines. His standout skills include “creativity, vision, ability to control the tempo, ball-carrying, eye for goals.” In possession, he is incisive and explosive near the box, capable of carrying the ball through the lines and dangerous in front of goal. He excels at finding teammates in interior spaces and behind the opposition midfield, and can progress play through dribbling to break defensive structures.
His football intelligence is one of his most valued assets. He has “a great head on his shoulders and reads the game perfectly,” according to Lionel Messi. Despite his youth, he has proven his ability to perform under high pressure, completing 80% of passes against intense opposition pressure.
His versatility is a key asset. He can play as an attacking midfielder, winger, or in a deeper role, making him a valuable tactical option. At Como, he has played on either wing or in a more central role. His weakness remains his relative inexperience at the highest level. He only made his senior Argentina debut in October 2024. However, his rapid development suggests he is ready for the challenge.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (Career Overview)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2024 | Real Madrid Castilla | Primera RFEF | 53 | 12 | — | — |
| 2023-2024 | Real Madrid | La Liga | 4 | 0 | — | 1 UCL goal |
| 2024-2025 | Como | Serie A | 35 | 6 | 9 | Best U23 Player |
| 2025-2026 | Como | Serie A | 35 | 12 | 7 | 4th top scorer in Serie A |
| TOTAL | — | — | 119+ | 33 | 20+ |
TABLE B: Performance Metrics (2025/26 Season)
| Metric | Paz | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serie A Apps | 35 | Started all 35 matches |
| Serie A Goals | 12 | Tied 4th top scorer in Serie A |
| Serie A Assists | 7 | |
| Coppa Italia Apps | 5 | 1 goal, 1 assist |
| Total Goal Involvements | 20+ | 12 goals, 7+ assists |
TABLE C: International Career
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 10 |
| Senior Goals | 5 |
| International Debut | 15 October 2024 vs Bolivia (aged 20) |
| U20 Appearances | 8 |
| U23 Appearances | 4 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Castilla Debut | Debut for Real Madrid Castilla |
| 2023 | Real Madrid Debut | Champions League debut vs Braga |
| 2023 | First Real Madrid Goal | vs Napoli in UCL |
| 2024 | Como Move | Signed for €6 million |
| 2024 | Argentina Debut | vs Bolivia |
| 2025 | Best U23 Player | Serie A award |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | Represented Argentina |
TABLE E: World Cup Record (Tournament-by-Tournament)
| Tournament | Host Nation | Apps | Goals | Assists | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | 2+ | 0 | 0 | — |
What these figures reveal is a player who has developed rapidly in a short space of time. From 53 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla, he has become a key player in Serie A, scoring 18 goals and providing 16 assists across his first two seasons at Como. He has made his World Cup debut and has 10 senior caps for Argentina. His 5 goals in 10 international appearances demonstrate his value to the national team.
The Present Tense
At 21, Nico Paz is one of the youngest players in the Argentina squad at the 2026 World Cup. He made his tournament debut in Argentina’s opening 3-0 victory over Algeria, playing ten minutes. He was an unused substitute in the win against Austria but started Argentina’s final group match against Jordan, playing 61 minutes before being substituted.
His journey at the World Cup has been surreal. “Intento ser consciente, aunque es difícil, porque lo que estoy viviendo es algo que le gustaría a todo el mundo: vivir un Mundial, con la Selección, el último de Leo,” he said. He has shared the pitch with Lionel Messi, something he described as “un sueño.”
His future at club level was secured during the tournament. On June 28, 2026, Como 1907 announced that Paz would continue playing for the Italian club for the 2026-27 season, with Real Madrid retaining a unilateral buy-back option for the 2027-28 season. The deal, concluded at the player’s request, also saw Real Madrid sell the remaining 50% of his economic rights for €60 million, with a buy-back option set at €80 million.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Paz is known for his humility and professionalism. He is a quiet presence in the dressing room, a player who leads by example.
His connection to Argentina is strong, despite being born in Spain. His father, Pablo Paz, played for the Argentina national team at the 1998 World Cup. “My father from a young age instilled in me the passion that the whole country has,” Paz said. He has never doubted his decision to represent Argentina, even though he was eligible for Spain.
His personality is defined by resilience. He has moved between clubs, adapted to a new league, and overcome challenges. His career has taken him from Tenerife to Madrid to Como, and he has succeeded at every stop.
The Verdict from the Camp
Lionel Messi, Argentina teammate:
“He has bags of quality and I hope he keeps improving. He wasn’t even born when I made my top-flight debut. He has a great head on his shoulders and reads the game perfectly. I hope he continues on this path.”
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head coach:
“He was delighted to be called up to the national team, and he has a bright future ahead of him. If Real Madrid have a buy-back option for Nico Paz, I wouldn’t think twice. I know him – he has what it takes not only to play for Real Madrid, but to keep on taking his game to the next level.”
Cesc Fabregas, Como head coach:
“He’s a special player who needs the freedom to express himself; we mustn’t turn him into a robot – he’s a champion. I’m not worried about his future in the slightest because I can differentiate between when a player is truly hungry and has the mentality to reach the very top, and when someone is simply enjoying a good run of form.”
Ángel Di María, former Argentina star:
“I follow him closely – he’s performing at a very high level… The time will come for him to shine at a big club.”
Francesco Totti, Roma legend:
“There’s something about him that really intrigues me. He has what it takes to become one of the best players in the world.”
Where Next?
Nico Paz is 21 years old and already a World Cup player. He has 33 goals and 20 assists in 119 career appearances. He has represented Argentina at the World Cup, played in the Champions League, and won the Best U23 Player award in Serie A. His legacy is still being written. He is the boy from Tenerife who chose Argentina, the son of a World Cup player who forged his own path, the player who scored in the Champions League and became a key figure for Como.
His future is at Como, where he has signed an agreement for the 2026-27 season. Real Madrid retain a buy-back option, and his value continues to rise. The journey from La Fábrica to the World Cup has been remarkable. The Spanish-born Argentine who never played football in his homeland is now representing his country on the biggest stage. And the story is far from over.
