Nico Paz is becoming the breakout star of Serie A, playing for Como, a team managed by Cesc Fàbregas. So much so that Real Madrid is reportedly seriously considering activating their buy-back option. However, amid rumors linking him back to the Santiago Bernabéu, Nico Paz made some controversial statements in which he openly expressed his admiration for Lamine Yamal.

The best day in Nico Paz's life

Alongside his teammate Assane Diao, with whom he’s formed a partnership delighting fans at the picturesque Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in the prestigious city of Como (Italy), Nico Paz gave an interview to the club’s media ahead of a crucial week. If they win against Genoa, they’ll mathematically secure their place in Serie A for another season.

In less than a year, Nico Paz has had a meteoric rise. Last season, he was playing for Real Madrid's reserve team, and just a few months later, he made his debut for Argentina at El Monumental, delivering an assist to Leo Messi. “My debut with Argentina was the best moment of my life and, on top of that, being able to assist the best player in history in my debut—especially considering Messi's age, I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to play with him. I’m very happy and grateful for that,” Nico Paz said.

Will Nico Paz return to Real Madrid?

Assane Diao himself admitted he was a bit jealous of Nico Paz for having shared the field with Leo Messi. “You’ve already done it, but so many of us grew up watching Messi, and it’s something I’d love to do.” Nico Paz, however, had no problem admitting he’d love to play with Lamine Yamal. “I’ve been lucky to play for Real Madrid, which is the best team in the world, with players like Vinicius and Bellingham, but if I had to name someone else, I’d say Lamine Yamal. He’s one of the best in the world for his age. I’d really love to play with him.”

Nico Paz, who made his debut with Real Madrid last season and even scored his first Champions League goal, is doing more than enough to convince the executives at the Santiago Bernabéu to trigger his buy-back clause… even though “his wish is to stay at Como for another season,” as revealed by his father Pablo Paz, who was capped 14 times by Argentina. So we’ll see where Nico Paz's future lies… and whether those words were well received at Real Madrid.