Argentine says staying in Italy “the best option for my career at this time”
Nico Paz will stay at Como next season after the Serie A club and Real Madrid reached an agreement over the player’s future.
Both clubs confirmed the arrangement on Monday. Before then, there was the possibility that Real Madrid would activate one of the buy-back clauses inserted into the deal that took the Argentina international to Como in 2024.
Instead, Como will retain the 21-year-old. Madrid still retain the option of re-signing him for the 2027-28 season.
In a statement, Como said that “at the player’s own request, this agreement also stipulates that Real Madrid retains the right to reacquire Paz’s registration for the 2027–2028 season”.
Paz said his decision to stay at Como was because he needed regular football at this stage of his career.
“After many weeks of reflection, I have decided that the best option for my career at this time is to stay at the club for another year, the club that gave me the opportunity to grow and become the player I am today,” the Argentine wrote on Instagram.
“I personally believe this is the best decision for both me and Real Madrid, as it is a very important year at this stage of my career and a unique opportunity to continue growing as a footballer and prepare myself in the best way for the future.”
The agreement is something of a compromise for both clubs. Real Madrid had retained successive buy-back options after selling Paz for around €6m two years ago and were widely expected to trigger one this summer. However, the midfielder made clear he preferred to remain at Como as first-team opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu were likely to be limited.
Madrid have several talented and more experienced players in Paz’s position, including Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham and Bernardo Silva, who arrived this summer.
Paz has flourished since leaving Madrid, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists last season as Como finished fourth in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Across two campaigns in Italy, he has registered 19 goals and 17 assists in 75 appearances.
The Argentine came through Real Madrid’s academy before making eight senior appearances, scoring once in the Champions League against Napoli, and has since established himself in Argentina’s senior squad.
He is currently with the national team at the World Cup, where he started the 3-1 group-stage victory over Jordan.
