Introduction
Nico Paz is one of the most exciting young Argentine footballers to emerge from the modern generation of attacking midfielders. Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and developed in the famous Real Madrid academy, Paz has built a reputation for his technical ability, creativity, intelligence, and attacking instincts. His journey has taken him from youth football in Spain to Real Madrid’s first team and then to Como 1907 in Serie A, where he has increasingly established himself as an important player.
Paz’s story is particularly interesting because he combines Spanish upbringing with Argentine football heritage. His father, Pablo Paz, was a former Argentina international, and Nico eventually chose to represent Argentina at the international level. The Argentine Football Association has highlighted his pride in wearing the national team’s shirt and his connection with his father’s international career.
As of the 2026–27 season, Nico Paz remains a Como player. Real Madrid and Como reached an agreement in June 2026 for him to stay in Italy for another season, while Real Madrid retained a unilateral buy-back option for the 2027–28 campaign.
Who Is Nico Paz?
Nico Paz’s full name is Nicolás Paz Martínez. He was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and developed his footballing skills in Spain before joining Real Madrid at a young age. Real Madrid’s official profile lists his early football experience with San Juan and Tenerife before his move to the Madrid academy.
Paz primarily plays as a midfielder or attacking midfielder. His technical qualities allow him to operate behind the striker, move into advanced areas, create chances for teammates, and contribute goals himself.
What makes him particularly interesting is his combination of creativity and composure. Rather than relying solely on speed or physical strength, he often seeks to control games through intelligent movement, close ball control, passing, and the ability to find spaces between opposing defenses.
Nico Paz’s Early Life and Football Background
Football was an important part of Paz’s upbringing. He was born in Spain, but his family has strong Argentine football connections through his father, Pablo Paz. Como’s official player profile explains that his family supported his development without placing excessive pressure on him.
Paz started his youth career with San Juan before joining Tenerife. His performances eventually attracted the attention of Real Madrid, one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.
Moving from Tenerife to Madrid at such a young age was a significant step. The transition required Paz to adapt to a different environment while competing against talented young players who were also trying to reach professional football.
That experience helped develop not only his footballing skills but also his maturity.
Nico Paz and the Real Madrid Academy
Paz joined Real Madrid in 2016 at the age of 11. He progressed through practically every level of the club’s youth system, gaining experience with the academy’s different age groups.
His development was rewarded with several youth achievements. Real Madrid states that Paz won the youth Copa del Rey in 2022 and 2023 and the youth Champions Cup in 2023. He also spent two seasons playing for Real Madrid Castilla.
The Real Madrid academy has produced numerous technically gifted players, and Paz’s progression through the system demonstrated that the club viewed him as having significant potential.
His development at Castilla was particularly important because it exposed him to senior football while allowing him to continue developing before making the jump to Real Madrid’s first team.
Nico Paz’s Real Madrid First-Team Career
Paz eventually made his first-team debut for Real Madrid. Although his opportunities were limited by intense competition within the squad, he made eight official appearances for the club.
Real Madrid confirms that Paz was part of the squad that won the 2024 Champions League.
His most memorable moment came when he scored his first Champions League goal against Braga during the 2023–24 campaign. That achievement demonstrated that he could perform at one of European football’s highest levels despite his young age.
However, becoming a regular starter at Real Madrid is extremely difficult for a young midfielder. The club routinely competes for major trophies and possesses some of the world’s most established players.
For Paz, moving to Como offered an opportunity to play regularly and continue his development.
Nico Paz’s Move to Como 1907
In August 2024, Real Madrid officially announced an agreement with Como 1907 for Paz’s transfer. Real Madrid described the move as a new stage in the player’s career after his years within the club’s academy and first team.
The move proved to be an important decision.
At Como, Paz could play a much larger role than he had been able to play at Real Madrid. Instead of competing primarily for occasional appearances, he joined a project that gave young players opportunities to develop.
Under Cesc Fàbregas, Como has increasingly emphasized technical football, and Paz’s qualities have fitted naturally into that approach.
Nico Paz’s Playing Style
One of the biggest reasons for the interest surrounding Nico Paz is his playing style.
Paz is a left-footed attacking midfielder who combines technical ability with creativity. He is comfortable receiving the ball in congested areas and can use quick touches to escape pressure.
His main strengths include:
- Close ball control
- Dribbling
- Creative passing
- Vision
- Movement between the lines
- Long-range shooting
- Set-piece ability
- Attacking positioning
- Combination play
- Ability to create chances
He is also capable of arriving inside the penalty area and finishing attacks himself. This makes him difficult for defenders to manage because he is not simply a traditional playmaker who looks exclusively for assists.
Paz can create a chance, make the final pass, or finish the move.
Nico Paz’s Development at Como
Como has provided Paz with an environment in which he can take greater responsibility. His performances have increasingly reflected his confidence.
One notable example came in January 2026, when Como defeated Lazio 3–0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Paz scored twice in that match, including goals in the 24th and 49th minutes.
Another important performance came against AC Milan at San Siro in February 2026. Paz scored Como’s opening goal in a 1–1 draw, with Como’s official report identifying it as his 10th goal of the season at that stage.
These performances showed that Paz was becoming more than a promising young player. He was increasingly capable of influencing important Serie A matches.
Nico Paz’s Goals and Assists
Paz’s attacking output has become an important part of his development.
His ability to contribute goals is especially valuable because attacking midfielders are increasingly expected to provide direct production. Paz can operate as a creator while also threatening goalkeepers from inside and outside the penalty area.
His versatility was visible in Como’s 2025–26 campaign. Against Fiorentina in September 2025, he provided both assists in a 2–1 away victory, helping Como complete a comeback.
Against Lecce in December 2025, Paz scored Como’s opening goal and later assisted Tasos Douvikas on Como’s third in a 3–0 victory.
In March 2026, he also scored in Como’s emphatic 5–0 win over Pisa.
These examples illustrate why his development has attracted attention from supporters and clubs beyond Italy.
Nico Paz and the Argentina National Team
Although Paz was born in Spain, he chose to represent Argentina.
That decision reflects his family’s Argentine roots and his connection to the country’s football culture. The Argentine Football Association has previously featured Paz discussing the honor of wearing Argentina’s shirt and his desire to follow in his father Pablo Paz’s footsteps.
His international pathway has included Argentina’s youth teams before progressing to the senior national team.
Representing Argentina is a major challenge because the country has an extraordinary depth of attacking and midfield talent. Nevertheless, Paz’s technical qualities give him a distinctive profile.
His inclusion in Argentina’s final 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a major milestone. The Argentine Football Association listed Paz among the midfielders/attacking players selected by Lionel Scaloni for the tournament.
Nico Paz and His Real Madrid Connection
Even after leaving Madrid, Paz’s relationship with Real Madrid remains an important part of his career story.
In June 2026, Real Madrid, Como and Paz reached an agreement allowing him to remain at Como for the 2026–27 season. Crucially, Real Madrid retained a unilateral buy-back option for the 2027–28 season.
This arrangement gives Paz another season to develop in Italy while keeping open the possibility of returning to the club where he spent much of his youth career.
For Real Madrid, the arrangement provides a way to continue monitoring his progress without immediately requiring him to return to a highly competitive squad.
For Paz, remaining at Como provides valuable continuity.
Why Nico Paz Is Considered a Rising Star
Several factors explain why Paz has attracted so much attention.
First, he has an impressive technical foundation developed at Real Madrid’s academy. Second, he has gained valuable senior experience in Serie A. Third, he has shown he can score goals and provide assists rather than display attractive skills.
His age is another important factor. At only 21, he still has considerable time to improve physically, tactically and mentally.
Perhaps most importantly, Paz is now playing in situations where his decisions matter. Regular first-team football forces young players to learn how to handle pressure, difficult opponents, tactical adjustments and expectations.
Those experiences can accelerate development considerably.
Nico Paz’s Future
The future of Nico Paz is one of the most interesting questions surrounding the player.
For the 2026–27 season, his immediate objective is clear: continue developing at Como and establish himself as one of Serie A’s leading young attacking midfielders.
The potential Real Madrid buy-back option adds another layer to his future. If Paz continues performing at a high level, a return to Madrid could become a realistic possibility for the 2027–28 season.
However, a move back to Real Madrid would also bring enormous competition. The decision would depend on the club’s squad needs, Paz’s development and his own career ambitions.
Another important factor will be his role with Argentina. As an emerging generation of players develops around the country’s established stars, Paz could become increasingly important to the national team.
What Makes Nico Paz Different?
Paz’s biggest advantage may be the combination of his background and experience.
He has been trained in Spain, developed by Real Madrid, and tested in Italian football while representing Argentina internationally. Each environment offers different lessons.
Real Madrid taught him technical discipline and elite-level expectations. Serie A has exposed him to tactical complexity and demanding senior competition. Argentina allows him to compete within one of international football’s strongest football cultures.
If he continues to develop consistently, these experiences could help him become a complete attacking midfielder.
Conclusion
Nico Paz has already experienced a remarkable football journey despite being only 21 years old. From his beginnings in Tenerife and his move to Real Madrid’s academy at age 11 to his first-team appearances and Champions League success, he has steadily progressed toward becoming an established professional.
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