Future Real Madrid Star Already Among Most Valuable Serie A Players at 21

Como’s 21-year-old revelation Nico Paz has muscled his way into the upper echelon of Serie A valuations, sitting fifth on Transfermarkt’s list behind only Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, Juventus prodigy Kenan Yildiz and Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni. The valuation—€65 million, level with Milan winger Rafael Leão—underscores the seismic impact the Argentine has made in just his second season in Italy’s top flight.

Paz, a product of the Real Madrid academy, has tormented opponents at the Stadio Sinigaglia, registering 10 goals and six assists in 29 league appearances. Those numbers have propelled Como to fourth place with a handful of matches remaining, igniting dreams of a maiden Champions League berth in a region more accustomed to Sunday strolls along Lake Como than mid-week European nights.

Coach Cesc Fàbregas, whose own playing career was forged at Barcelona, has walked a deliberate line between freedom and discipline. “He’s a special player, and he must be free to express himself,” the Spaniard said in October, yet in February he dropped Paz to the bench for a meeting with Lecce after the midfielder arrived late to a pre-match meal. The carrot-and-stick approach has paid dividends: Paz’s swagger remains intact, but the tardiness has not been repeated.

Como completed a permanent purchase from Real Madrid in 2024, yet the Spanish giants retained buy-back clauses exercisable in the summers of 2026 and 2027. Club president Mirwan Suwarso concedes the decision is out of Como’s hands. “The decision is entirely up to Real Madrid. There’s nothing we can do but wait and act accordingly,” he told reporters earlier this month. “For now, he’s very happy here, in this big family.”

Should Como fend off the historic might of Juventus and Roma and secure European qualification, the Lombardy side would give their No. 10 a fitting send-off before what increasingly looks like an inevitable return to the Bernabéu.