Messi's witness: Nico Paz ready for the number ten shirt

Nico Paz, a young attacking midfielder of Como, was a key figure in Lionel Messi's farewell match with the Argentine national team, finding the net shortly after coming off the bench on an assist from the captain. The move reignited the debate about the future of the number ten shirt.

The number ten shirt is a symbol of great prestige in the history of Argentine football. It has been worn by Diego Armando Maradona, the country's undisputed icon, and now the torch is ready to pass to a new generation.

Nico Paz's debut for the senior national team took place on 16 October 2024. He came on in the 73rd minute for Lautarto Martinez and, thirteen minutes later, provided the assist for Lionel Messi's hat‑trick, which sealed a 6‑0 win over Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers.

Paz's first goal for Argentina came from a free kick in the 2‑1 victory over Mauritania on 28 March 2026. In the same year he scored three more goals: on 1 October in a 4‑0 win over Bolivia, on 4 October in a 7‑0 win over Burkina Faso, and last night in a 3‑0 win over Benin.

Operation worth sixty million

At the start of last summer's transfer window, Como bought back Nico Paz from Real Madrid for sixty million euros. The Spanish club retains a buy‑back clause for eighty million euros to be exercised in the summer of 2027.

To date, Paz has amassed eighty‑one appearances with twenty goals and as many assists for Como, coached by former player Cesc Fabregas. The manager confirmed that he will start in Sunday's lunch match against Roma, the league leaders.