The Making of Nico Paz

Calm mind, sharp game

There is something unhurried about Nico Paz. The way he moves, the way he speaks. He does not chase attention; he controls space. At Como he has found a rhythm that suits him. He lives quietly, trains hard, and plays with purpose.

“My whole family has helped me a lot since I was a child,” he says. “The good thing is that no one ever puts pressure on me. They always gave me the freedom to do what I wanted.”

That freedom shaped his path. Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2004, the son of former Argentina international Pablo Paz, Nico grew up in a home where football was part of life but never a burden. He started in Tenerife’s academy before joining Real Madrid at eleven. It was a move that forced him to grow up fast.

“The change from Tenerife to Madrid was a big one,” he says. “I was young and it was difficult at first because I came from the island with my friends and my family. I went to play for Madrid, far from everyone I knew. It was part of my growing process and I remember it with fondness.”

Years later he made another move, this time to Como 1907. “Moving from one country and one club to another, a big club like Madrid, it’s a big change. But luckily I came with my family, who made everything more normal. You really notice the difference between Spanish and Italian football. The language, the food, everything. But honestly, I have adapted very well and I really like life here in Como.”

Adaptation has become one of his defining strengths. On the pitch he reads the game with calm and precision. Off it, he has found comfort in a slower pace. “What I like most is being at home and relaxing,” he says. “The area where I live is quiet and beautiful. I like going to the lake and visiting the towns around Como. Milan is close, Switzerland is close. But above all I like being at home, relaxing, and going for a walk.”

He smiles when talking about his teammates. “We have a good group because there are a few of us young players who speak Spanish. Assane, Jacobo, Maxi, Álex Valle, Jesús. We joke around a lot, we play games, and we help each other.” That balance of friendship and focus defines the team that Cesc Fàbregas is building.

Paz remembers clearly the match that changed everything. “I’d probably say last year’s match against Atalanta, because that was when we realised that the project was going to be a success. That victory on that pitch really marked the beginning of Como’s resurgence.”

He says it plainly, without drama. The confidence in his voice reflects his football. He plays without waste, each movement measured.

Off the pitch, he lives simply. “To disconnect, I often go to Barcelona, where my girlfriend lives. It’s a way to switch off from football. When I go there, I relax.” When he stays in Como, he spends his free time at home. “I take a nap and play on the PlayStation. Right now I’m playing a lot of FIFA, the new one has come out, and I always play with Como in career mode.”

He laughs when he says it. There is still the boy who loves the game, even as the professional version of himself keeps evolving. “I was surprised by how beautiful Como is,” he adds. “I thought it would be smaller, but it’s big and there are many things to do. The place that impressed me the most was Menaggio. I went with my girlfriend and I loved it. That part of the lake is beautiful.”

On the field he has grown under Fàbregas’s guidance. The coach describes him as “a player who sees football seconds before everyone else.” Nico listens, learns, and applies.

When asked who inspires him, his answer is immediate. “Messi,” he says. “You realise the mentality he has to do what the best player in history has done. He still wants to be present in every match, he wants to score goals, he does not want to be substituted, he wants to be there all the time. That mentality is inspiring.”

That mindset has shaped his connection to Como. “It’s the affection of the people I see when I’m walking down the street and all the children ask me for photos. They are so excited when I say hello, and that makes me feel good. It shows you that you are doing things right. When I am on the pitch, the confidence people give me makes me feel at home. It helps me play better.”

Nico Paz is twenty-one, but he speaks with the perspective of someone older. From Tenerife to Madrid to Como, his story is not about fame or prediction. It is about work, trust, and the calm belief that talent grows best when it is given time.