# Nico Paz

Nicolás Paz Martínez (born 8 September 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Como. Born in Spain, he plays for the Argentina national team.

## Club career
### Real Madrid
#### Early career

A youth product of CD San Juan and Tenerife, Paz joined the Real Madrid's La Fábrica in 2016.
Initially starting his career as a central defender, Paz moved further up the pitch as he developed. After playing as a centre forward, he switched to the wing, where he played for the under-19 side. He is also comfortable operating as a central midfielder or playmaker.
He made his debut for Real Madrid's B-team in a 3–1 win over Andorra in January 2022, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Iván Morante.

#### 2023–24: First-team breakthrough

On 8 November 2023, Paz made his first-team and Champions League debut for Real Madrid in a group stage match against Braga as a substitute in the 77th minute to replace Federico Valverde at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. On 11 November 2023, Paz made his La Liga debut for Madrid in a 5–1 victory over Valencia, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute for Dani Carvajal. On 29 November, he scored his first goal in the Champions League, securing a 4–2 win against Napoli.

### Como

On 25 August 2024, Paz signed for newly promoted Serie A club Como on a four-year deal for a reported €6 million fee. The following day, he made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Cagliari. On 19 October, he scored his first goal for Como in a 1–1 draw against Parma.

## International career

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Paz was eligible to represent both Spain and Argentina at international level. He was first called up to the senior Argentina national team in March 2022.
Paz also was called up to the Argentina under-20 side for the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament in France. He was later named in Argentina's preliminary 48-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
On 15 October 2024, Paz made his senior debut for Argentina in a 6–0 win over Bolivia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, recording an assist for Lionel Messi.

## Personal life

Paz is the son of former Argentine international Pablo Paz, who played at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. His mother is Spanish.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 15 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Europe | Europe | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Real Madrid Castilla | 2021–22 | Primera División RFEF | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Real Madrid Castilla | 2022–23 | Primera Federación | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 18 | 2 |
| Real Madrid Castilla | 2023–24 | Primera Federación | 29 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | 10 |
| Real Madrid Castilla | Total | Total | 49 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 53 | 12 |
| Real Madrid | 2023–24 | La Liga | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Como | 2024–25 | Serie A | 27 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 6 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 80 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 88 | 19 |
* ↑ Includes Copa del Rey
* ↑ Appearances in Primera Federación play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

### International

    As of match played 15 October 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Argentina | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 1 | 0 |

## Honours

Real Madrid
* La Liga: 2023–24
* Supercopa de España: 2024
* UEFA Champions League: 2023–24