Nico Paz Explained

Nico Paz
Fullname:Nicolás Paz Martínez
Birth Date:8 September 2004
Height:1.85 m
Currentclub:Real Madrid B
Clubnumber:10
Position:Attacking midfielder
Youthyears1:2011–2014
Youthclubs1:CD San Juan
Youthyears2:2014–2016
Youthclubs2:Tenerife
Youthyears3:2016–2023
Youthclubs3:Real Madrid
Years1:2022–
Clubs1:Real Madrid B
Caps1:49
Goals1:11
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Real Madrid
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:2022–
Nationalteam1:Argentina U20
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:4
Club-Update:25 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:28 January 2023

Nicolás "Nico" Paz Martínez (born 8 September 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid. Born in Spain, he is a youth international for Argentina.

Club career

Early career

A youth product of CD San Juan and Tenerife, Paz joined the Real Madrid's La Fábrica in 2016.[1]

Initially starting his career as a central defender, Paz moved further up the pitch as he developed. After playing as a centre forward, he switched to the wing, where he plays for the under-19 side. He is also comfortable operating as a central midfielder or playmaker.[2] [3]

He made his debut for the Real Madrid's B-team in a 3–1 win over Andorra in January 2022, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Iván Morante.[2]

2023–24: First-team breakthrough

On 8 November 2023, Paz made his Champions League debut for Real Madrid in a group stage match against Braga as a substitute in the 77th minute to replace Federico Valverde at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[4] [5] On 11 November 2023, Paz made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid in a 5–1 victory over Valencia, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute for Dani Carvajal.[6] [7] On 29 November, he scored his first-ever goal in the Champions League, securing a 4–2 win against Napoli.[8]

International career

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Paz is eligible to represent both Spain and Argentina at international level. He was called up to the senior Argentina national team in March 2022.[2] [9]

He also was called up to the Argentina under-20 side for the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament in France.[10]

Paz was named in Argentina's preliminary 48-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.[11]

Personal life

Paz is the son of former Argentine international Pablo Paz, who played at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.[2] [12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCopa del ReyContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid Castilla2021–22Primera División RFEF6060
2022–23Primera Federación14141182
2023–24Primera Federación29102910
Total49110000415312
Real Madrid2023–24La Liga4010310081
Career total53111031416113

Honours

Real Madrid

2023–24[13]

2024[14]

2023–24[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile. 17 April 2022. realmadrid.com. 23 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220423065211/http://www.realmadrid.com/futbol/cantera/juvenil-c/nicolas-paz-martinez. live.
  2. Web site: Who is Nico Paz? From Real Madrid's youth academy to the Argentina senior he’s so hot side. Andy. Hall. 7 March 2022. 17 April 2022. en.as.com. 4 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221104074109/https://en.as.com/en/2022/03/07/soccer/1646654951_388869.html. live.
  3. Web site: ¿Quién es Nico Paz y cuantos millones cuesta la gran promesa del Real Madrid?. Who is Nico Paz and how many millions does the great promise of Real Madrid cost?. Tomás. Valle. 7 March 2022. 17 April 2022. elfutbolero.es. Spanish. 4 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221104074105/https://www.elfutbolero.es/laliga/Quien-es-Nico-Paz-y-cuantos-millones-cuesta-la-gran-promesa-del-Real-Madrid-20220307-0005.html. live.
  4. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Nico Paz makes his Real Madrid debut . 9 November 2023 . Real Madrid CF . 9 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109041301/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/11/08/nico-paz-makes-his-real-madrid-debut . live .
  5. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Real Madrid-Braga: UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Group stage . 9 November 2023 . UEFA . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108195107/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2039144--real-madrid-vs-braga/ . live .
  6. Web site: 2023-11-11 . Real Madrid vs Valencia CF . 2023-11-12 . . en . 2023-07-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230719161036/https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/match/temporada-2023-2024-laliga-easports-real-madrid-valencia-cf-13 . live .
  7. Web site: 2023-11-11 . Real Madrid 5–1 Valencia: Player ratings as Los Blancos run riot . 2023-11-12 . 90min . en-GB . 2023-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112045605/https://www.90min.com/posts/real-madrid-5-1-valencia-player-ratings-11-11-2023 . live .
  8. Web site: Nico Paz overwhelmed after scoring first Real Madrid goal in Napoli victory – "This is a dream" . Football España . 29 November 2023 . 30 November 2023 . 29 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129223536/https://www.football-espana.net/2023/11/29/nico-paz-overwhelmed-after-scoring-first-real-madrid-goal-in-napoli-victory-this-is-a-dream . live .
  9. Web site: ¿Quiénes son Nico Paz y Alejandro Garnacho, los talentos españoles que sorprendieron a Scaloni?. Who are Nico Paz and Alejandro Garnacho, the Spanish talents that surprised Scaloni?. Jorge. Caballero. 7 March 2022. 17 April 2022. ar.marca.com. Spanish. 26 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220326131650/https://ar.marca.com/claro/futbol/seleccion-argentina/2022/03/07/62255204e2704e05658b459b.html. live.
  10. Web site: Convocados de la Sub 20 para el Torneo Maurice Revello. Sub 20: all the information on the Maurice Revello Tournament. afa.com.ar. 20 May 2022. 30 May 2022. Spanish. 31 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531184506/https://www.afa.com.ar/es/posts/convocados-de-la-sub-20-para-el-torneo-maurice-revello. live.
  11. Web site: Hancock . Greg Lea Contributions from Tom . published . Alasdair Mackenzie . 2022-11-02 . Argentina World Cup 2022 squad: Lionel Scaloni announces 48-man longlist . 2022-11-04 . fourfourtwo.com . en . 2022-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218133642/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/argentina-world-cup-2022-squad-players-line-up-qatar . live .
  12. Web site: ¿Quiénes son Nico Paz y Alejandro Garnacho, los talentos españoles que sorprendieron a Scaloni?. Nico Paz, the promise of Real Madrid that falls in love with Scaloni: called up by Argentina at only 17 years old. Borja. Sánchez. 7 March 2022. 17 April 2022. elespanol.com. Spanish. 17 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220417141556/https://www.elespanol.com/elbernabeu/real-madrid/cantera/20220307/nico-paz-promesa-real-madrid-scaloni-argentina/655434518_0.html. live.
  13. News: 4 May 2024 . Real Madrid crowned champions after Barca's defeat at Girona . 4 May 2024 . BBC Sport.
  14. Web site: 2024-01-14 . El Real Madrid recupera su corona en la Supercopa (4-1) . 2024-01-15 . . es.
  15. Web site: 2024-06-01 . Real Madrid win Champions League: Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior see off Dortmund . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601223417/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/028e-1b07e18d875a-ba78e4b9d9fc-1000--report-madrid-win-champions-league/ . 2024-06-01 . 2024-06-02 . . en.