Introduction

Nico Paz has quickly become one of the most intriguing young midfielders in European football. Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and developed through Real Madrid’s academy, the Argentine international has built his reputation through creativity, technical quality, intelligent movement, and an ability to influence matches from attacking midfield.

His rise became particularly noticeable after moving to Como in 2024. Under Cesc Fàbregas, Paz developed into a central figure for the Italian club and produced a standout 2025–26 Serie A campaign. The league later named him its Best Midfielder, highlighting both his attacking production and wider contribution.

Paz’s story is also unusual because his career remains closely connected to Real Madrid. In June 2026, Real Madrid and Como confirmed that he would stay in Italy for the 2026–27 season, while Madrid retained a unilateral buy-back option for 2027–28.

Who Is Nico Paz?

Nico Paz is the football name of Nicolás Paz Martínez, an Argentine footballer who plays primarily as an attacking midfielder. He was born on September 8, 2004, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and stands 1.86 metres tall. Real Madrid’s official profile lists him as a midfielder and records his extensive progression through the club’s youth system.

Although he was born in Spain, Paz represents Argentina internationally. His connection to Argentine football is significant, particularly because his father, Pablo Paz, was also an Argentina international.

Rather than fitting neatly into the traditional central-midfielder role, Nico Paz is most effective when he has freedom in advanced areas. He can receive between the lines, carry the ball forward, create chances, shoot from distance, and combine with attacking teammates.

That versatility has made him particularly valuable in a modern attacking system.

Nico Paz’s Early Football Career

Paz began playing football with San Juan before moving to Tenerife. Real Madrid recruited him at a young age, and he entered the club’s academy in 2016. He progressed through several youth levels before reaching Castilla.

His development at Real Madrid exposed him to a demanding technical environment. The club’s academy places considerable emphasis on ball control, tactical awareness, passing, and decision-making, all characteristics that later became important parts of Paz’s game.

He eventually made his senior Real Madrid debut during the 2023–24 season. Although his opportunities with the first team were limited, he made a memorable contribution by scoring against Napoli in the Champions League.

That moment offered a glimpse of what he could become, but regular first-team football was difficult to guarantee at a club filled with established international midfielders.

Why Nico Paz Moved to Como

The move to Como in 2024 represented a major step in Paz’s development.

Instead of remaining on the fringes of a Champions League squad, he moved to a club where he could play regularly and take greater responsibility. That decision proved valuable because Serie A provided a competitive environment in which Paz could develop his physical, tactical, and creative qualities.

At Como, his role expanded beyond that of a promising young player. He increasingly became one of the team’s main creative outlets.

His development also benefited from working under Cesc Fàbregas, a former elite midfielder whose own career was built around passing, vision, and controlling attacking situations.

Nico Paz’s Breakthrough at Como

Paz’s first season at Como showed that he could handle senior football consistently. He contributed goals and assists while learning how to deal with the physical demands and tactical complexity of Serie A.

His second campaign was even more impressive.

According to Serie A’s official review of the 2025–26 season, Paz recorded 12 goals and seven assists and was named the league’s Best Midfielder. The league also highlighted his 121 total shots, 46 shots on target, 70 long-range attempts and 69 tackles won.

Those numbers help explain why his reputation grew so quickly. Paz was not simply scoring occasional spectacular goals. He was regularly involved in Como’s attacking structure while also contributing defensively.

Como’s success made the achievement even more significant. The club finished fourth in Serie A and secured Champions League qualification, according to Reuters.

For a player still in his early twenties, becoming a key figure in a team that reached the Champions League represents an important career milestone.

Nico Paz’s Playing Style

Creative Attacking Midfielder

The clearest description of Nico Paz is an attacking midfielder who prefers to operate close to the final third.

He looks for pockets of space behind midfielders and in front of defenders. Once he receives the ball, he can turn quickly, carry possession toward goal, or play a forward pass.

That makes him difficult to defend because opponents cannot focus solely on his passing.

Strong Left Foot

Paz is particularly dangerous on his left foot.

His shooting technique allows him to threaten from outside the penalty area, and long-range finishing has become one of the recognizable features of his game. Serie A specifically highlighted four long-range goals during his 2025–26 campaign.

This ability changes how defenders approach him. Giving Paz too much space outside the box can create an immediate shooting opportunity.

Ball Carrying and Dribbling

Paz is also comfortable carrying the ball through midfield.

He does not always rely on a quick pass to escape pressure. When space opens, he can accelerate with possession and move the team several metres up the pitch.

That quality is particularly useful against opponents who defend in compact blocks.

Vision and Final Pass

Another important part of his game is his ability to create opportunities for teammates.

Paz can combine short passes with more ambitious deliveries into dangerous areas. His role at Como gave him the freedom to look for these moments rather than simply playing safe possession football.

This creative freedom has been one of the biggest reasons for his development.

Nico Paz and the Argentina National Team

Paz’s international career has developed quickly.

He made his Argentina senior debut on October 15, 2024, against Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. FIFA reported that he came on in the second half and assisted Lionel Messi during Argentina’s 6–0 victory.

Representing Argentina carries enormous expectations because of the country’s history of producing elite attacking midfielders and forwards. Paz therefore faces a difficult challenge: earning consistent minutes in a squad already packed with established talent.

Still, his technical profile gives Argentina another creative option.

By May 2026, Paz had been included in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man Argentina squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The official Argentine Football Association squad list included him among the team’s attackers.

That selection marked another important stage in his development.

What Makes Nico Paz Different?

One reason Paz attracts so much attention is the combination of creativity and productivity.

Young attacking midfielders are often praised for technical ability before they have produced consistently at senior level. Paz has started to bridge that gap.

His 2025–26 Serie A campaign demonstrated that he can contribute goals while remaining heavily involved in chance creation and possession. Serie A’s official statistics also showed his defensive contribution, including 69 tackles won.

His physical profile is another useful asset. At 1.86 metres, he has a larger frame than some traditional No. 10s, giving him a different balance of technical ability and physical presence.

Nico Paz and Real Madrid

Real Madrid remains an important part of Paz’s story.

He spent much of his youth career at the club and reached the senior side before moving to Como. The Madrid connection has continued even after the transfer.

On June 29, 2026, Real Madrid officially announced that Paz would remain at Como for the 2026–27 season. The agreement also preserved Madrid’s unilateral buy-back option for the following season.

This arrangement gives Paz another season to develop with regular first-team responsibility while keeping the possibility of a future return to Madrid.

For Real Madrid, it also provides flexibility. The club can continue monitoring his development without immediately needing to decide whether he belongs in its long-term first-team plans.

What Could Be Next for Nico Paz?

The 2026–27 season could be one of the most important periods of Paz’s career.

Staying at Como means he should have another opportunity to play a major role rather than simply competing for occasional appearances at a larger club. The added challenge of Champions League football could also expose him to stronger opponents and different tactical situations.

The key question is not whether Paz has talent. His recent performances have already demonstrated that.

The bigger question is whether he can maintain his level against increasingly demanding opposition.

If he continues improving his decision-making, defensive consistency, physical strength, and ability to influence important matches, his profile could rise even further.

What Are Nico Paz’s Main Strengths?

Several qualities currently stand out:

Creativity: He can produce passes that break defensive lines.

Long-range shooting: His left foot makes him a threat outside the box.

Ball control: He is comfortable receiving under pressure.

Movement: He finds useful spaces between midfield and defence.

Goal contribution: His 2025–26 Serie A numbers show genuine attacking productivity.

Physical presence: His height and strength complement his technical ability.

Versatility: He can operate in different attacking midfield roles.

The next stage of his development will involve turning these qualities into consistent performances at the highest level.

Nico Paz Career at a Glance

Category	Details
Full name	Nicolás Paz Martínez
Date of birth	September 8, 2004
Birthplace	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Height	1.86 m
Position	Attacking midfielder
National team	Argentina
Youth development	Real Madrid academy
Current club	Como
2025–26 Serie A goals	12
2025–26 Serie A assists	7
2025–26 Serie A award	Best Midfielder
2026–27 status	Staying at Como

The biographical details are based on Real Madrid’s official player profile, while the 2025–26 league figures and award come from Serie A’s official season review.

Conclusion

Nico Paz has moved from being a promising Real Madrid academy graduate to becoming a genuine first-team contributor in Serie A and an Argentina international.

His development at Como has been especially important. The 2025–26 season showed that Paz can do more than produce occasional moments of flair: he can influence matches regularly, score goals, create chances, and contribute defensively. Winning Serie A’s Best Midfielder award reinforced that progress.

His decision to remain at Como for 2026–27 gives him another valuable platform to develop, while Real Madrid’s retained buy-back option keeps the door open for a future return.

For football fans, the next chapter should be particularly interesting. Paz now has the opportunity to test himself in the Champions League, continue developing with Como, and establish himself more firmly within Argentina’s talented generation of attacking players. His career is still being written, but the path so far suggests that Nico Paz is a player worth watching closely.

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