Flashscore has profiled Nico Paz as a candidate to wear Argentina's number 10 shirt after Lionel Messi's farewell. The Como midfielder has been making a strong case for it with his performances, according to Flashscore.
Como form and match details
Paz is currently playing for Italian club Como. Flashscore wrote that Manchester United were thrashed by Como in a Champions League match and eventually reduced a 4-0 deficit with a late goal. Flashscore wrote that Paz dictated play from the right side of midfield and scored twice against Manchester United. Flashscore wrote that Paz played only 71 minutes at the World Cup. Flashscore wrote that Paz has scored five goals in 17 appearances.
Argentina context and the No. 10 shirt
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has been calling Paz up to the squad for some time. In Argentina's most recent match, Paz scored. Flashscore wrote that Paz was the last Argentine player to receive a goal assist from Lionel Messi. Flashscore wrote that FIFA does not allow numbers to be retired and that at official tournaments all numbers from 1 to 26 must be used.
Previous holders of the shirt
Flashscore wrote that Marcelo Gallardo took Argentina's number 10 shirt to the 1995 Copa America, and that he ended up playing only two matches and also missed a penalty. Gallardo said: "Diego called me straight after the match to encourage me. He told me to keep my head held high because he had great faith in me. He had absolutely no reason to do it, but he did. I will always be immensely grateful to him for that gesture."
At the next tournament, Marcelo Gallardo opted for the No. 9 shirt and became the team's top scorer. Argentina then handed the No. 10 shirt to goalkeeper Nacho Gonzalez. Flashscore wrote that the national team at that time preferred to assign numbers alphabetically.
Paz's background and club plans
Flashscore wrote that in his first Serie A season with Como, Paz recorded six goals and eight assists in 35 appearances. Flashscore wrote that the following year Paz scored 13 goals and added seven assists in 40 matches. Flashscore wrote that Como secured Champions League qualification soon after earning promotion to the top flight.
Paz's father is former Argentina international Pablo Paz, who represented Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. Nico Paz was born in Tenerife, Spain. Flashscore wrote that Paz moved from the academy of the Canary Islands club to Real Madrid's youth setup. Flashscore wrote that in the 2023/24 season Paz made his debut for Real Madrid's first team, but was later sold to Como.
In June, the footballer wrote on social media: "After many weeks of thought, I have come to the conclusion that, at this moment, staying at Como for another year is the best thing for my career. It is a club that gave me the opportunity to grow and become the player I am today," Flashscore wrote that Real Madrid still has a preferential buy-back option on Paz.
Paz said it was an honour that Messi knows Como's shirt after a photo showed Ciro Messi in it. Paz said: "It is an honour for us that the greatest player in football history knows our shirt. We must be doing something right. Seeing Messi's son in our shirt is a joy and an honour."