Nico Paz Chooses Como Over Real Madrid Return

Nico Paz opened the summer rumour mill by politely declining an early summons from Real Madrid, opting instead to complete at least one full season with Como in Serie A. The 19-year-old playmaker, who dazzled under Cesc Fàbregas during the Lombardy club’s promotion run, believes weekly starts in Italy will accelerate his development far more than cameo appearances at the Bernabéu. His stance hardened when Madrid pushed ahead with a €45 million deal for River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, a move that would further congest an already star-studded midfield corridor.

Why Nico Paz Prefers Serie A Minutes to Bernabéu Glamour

Game time is currency for every prospect, and Nico Paz knows it. Luka Modrić has renewed for another year, Toni Kroos still dictates rhythm, and a younger cohort—Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler—already jostle for the two advanced midfield berths in Carlo Ancelotti’s hybrid 4-4-2. The incoming Mastantuono, lauded in Buenos Aires as the “new Enzo Fernández,” would squeeze the rotation even tighter. Paz’s entourage therefore judged that a return now could lead to sporadic Copa del Rey appearances and little else.

Fabregas’ Project at Como

Conversely, Como offers continuity. Fàbregas, doubling as sporting director and head coach, built his promotion-winning system around his No. 10’s guile between the lines. Sources inside the club confirm that the Spaniard wants to hand Paz the keys to creativity as they adapt to top-flight tempo. Playing every weekend against Inter, Milan and Juventus will expose the youngster to elite defensive structures without the suffocating spotlight that Madrid brings.

Inside Real Madrid’s Midfield Logjam

Real’s front office had pencilled Nico Paz for pre-season, banking on academy loyalty to win the day. Yet Alfredo Di Stéfano City now hosts a logjam. In addition to the established names, Ancelotti could promote Nico Paz’s fellow cantera graduates Mario Martín and Gonzalo to first-team training, while Brahim Díaz continues to clamour for starts. Club insiders admit privately that they cannot guarantee the Argentine-born Spain youth international more than 800 minutes before Christmas.

The Mastantuono Factor and Strategic Loans

Franco Mastantuono’s imminent arrival altered the calculus. Madrid’s hierarchy wants the 16-year-old to shadow Bellingham as an attacking midfielder, mirroring the pathway that took Vinícius Júnior from promising winger to world-class starter. That blueprint leaves precious little room for Nico Paz, whose preferred pocket overlaps with Mastantuono’s. A dry-loan back to LaLiga was floated—Girona and Getafe submitted enquiries—but the player insisted that a different league, language and tactical culture would round out his game.

Financial Sense for All Parties

Como retain Paz on favourable terms, paying only a modest loan fee while fully covering his wages. Madrid protect their investment by securing a recall clause next June with no buy option for the Italians, essentially parking the asset in a competitive environment. In the meantime, Paz’s Serie A exposure could inflate his market value, offering Madrid either a polished talent or leverage in future negotiations.

What the Numbers Say About Nico Paz’s Development

Last season, Nico Paz completed 2.4 key passes and 1.9 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie B, ranking first among under-21 midfielders. Data analysts at Valdebebas project those metrics to dip slightly against stronger opposition, yet they still expect him to finish above the 75th percentile for progressive actions in Italy’s top tier. Such figures would be impossible to compile in Madrid where substitute roles rarely exceed 15 minutes.

Player Perspective: Patience Over Prestige

Paz’s father Pablo, a former Argentina international, advised his son to emulate Federico Valverde’s gradual ascent rather than chase instant glory. “If Real Madrid want you now, they’ll want you even more when you’re ready,” he reportedly told him. The teenager has bought into that mantra, setting clear milestones: 30 Serie A starts, tangible upper-body strength gains, and a debut with Spain’s U-21 side before reconsidering a return.

How Como Plan to Maximise the Loan

Fàbregas will use a 4-2-3-1 that gives Paz freedom behind veteran striker Patrick Cutrone. Wing-backs will provide width, allowing the loanee to drift into half-spaces and orchestrate. The coaching staff are also tasking him with set-piece duties, a discipline he seldom practised in Madrid’s Castilla side. Off the pitch, language tutors and specialised nutritionists aim to bulk his frame from 72 kg to 75 kg by January.

Looking Ahead: A 2025 Bernabéu Homecoming?

Real Madrid remain relaxed. Club sources suggest president Florentino Pérez views the Como spell as a “finishing school.” Should Luka Modrić finally bow out next summer and fringe players depart, space will open. Ancelotti or his successor would then evaluate whether Nico Paz returns as rotation material or pushes for a starting spot. The development arc mirrors Martin Ødegaard’s journey—multiple loans, incremental responsibility, eventual Premier League stardom—proving patience can pay dividends for club and player alike.

Short Opinion

Choosing minutes over medals takes courage. By prioritising match rhythm at Como, Nico Paz backs his long-term prospects instead of settling for bench glamour. In an era when young talents often rush to super-clubs and stall, his measured approach could become the template for the next generation.