Nico Paz and a World Cup Journey Mapped on the Shores of Lake Como

When Argentina head coaches look for the spark to ignite a World Cup campaign, their eyes naturally drift towards the iconic No 10 shirt. It is a jersey that carries the heaviest psychological weight in footballing history, stitched with the legacies of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. And for 21-year-old Nico Paz, he swaps his No 10 Como shirt for 18 as he enters the World Cup with the serene composure of a man who spends his days off gazing at the tranquil waters of Lake Como.

Paz’s inclusion in Argentina’s World Cup squad continues a meteoric rise that accelerated in Lombardy. Arriving at the Stadio Sinigaglia from Real Madrid, the young attacking midfielder has evolved from a raw, highly-rated prospect into one of Serie A’s most dazzling playmakers. While his performances on the pitch have booked his ticket to the grandest stage in sport, it is his grounded lifestyle in northern Italy that provided the foundation.

The Sanctuary of Lake Como

For many young players moving abroad, adjusting to a new culture can be a daunting hurdle. For Paz, Italy quickly became a sanctuary. Speaking exclusively to Destination Calcio last season, Paz revealed how much the local environment and having his inner circle nearby anchored his rapid development.

“I enjoy it a lot because I’m also with my family,” Paz said. “That is an important thing. The city is beautiful, the people are very good, very good with the players. And I’m very happy to live here. I’m adapted, and I’m happy to stay here this year and maybe other years. I’m very, very happy.”

Under the guidance of manager Cesc Fabregas, Como has been the perfect place for Paz to mature at his own pace. Alongside his girlfriend, Emma Ramirez, he has fully embraced the classic Italian lifestyle.

“I was surprised by how beautiful Como is,” he said. “I thought it would be smaller, but it’s big, and there are many things to do.”

While he revealed to Destination Calcio his fondness for the famous restaurants and views of Bellagio, it was a trip to the western shores that truly took his breath away. “The place that impressed me the most was Menaggio. I went with my girlfriend, and I loved it. That part of the lake is beautiful.”

Lasagna and Locking Out the Noise

This off-pitch happiness has translated directly into a fearless brand of football.

When he isn’t exploring the lake or taking a quick trip across the Swiss border, Paz is remarkably relatable. “What I like most is being at home and relaxing,” he told Como club channels. “To disconnect, I take a nap and play on the PlayStation. Right now I’m playing a lot of FIFA, and I always play with Como in career mode.”

He has also forged a deep bond with the locals. “It’s the affection of the people I see when I’m walking down the street, and all the children ask me for photos,” he said. “When I am on the pitch, the confidence people give me makes me feel at home.”

That feeling of being at home has extended to the local cuisine. In a candid chat with team-mate Assane Diao, Paz shared his favourite meal.

“I don’t think I’ve tried a real local dish yet, but I eat lasagna almost every day,” he laughed. “I already loved it in Spain, but here? It’s on another level.”

Under the Tutelage of a Master

Living in a beautiful city and eating world-class pasta is one thing, but execution on the pitch requires elite mentorship. In Fabregas, Paz found the ultimate coach. Having arrived from Real Madrid, he credits the former Arsenal and Barcelona maestro with accelerating his growth.

The Spaniard has injected an unwavering belief into the entire squad. “That for me is the most important thing – the confidence about a manager,” Paz said. “The confidence he gives to me and to all the players. You can see on the pitch that everyone is ambitious, is connected with confidence, and that’s mostly down to the coach. He helps us a lot to be at our best.”

Rather than obsessing over statistics or eye-catching social media highlights, Paz remains hyper-focused on incremental self-improvement under the watchful eye of his boss.

“I never speculate numbers,” he said. “I try to improve every day, the little things, the little details, improving so that it means more – more goals, more assists. Those little details.”

The Ultimate Stage

It is precisely those little details – the perfectly weighted through-balls, the spatial awareness, and the tactical discipline learned in Serie A – that opened the door to international football. Having made his senior debut in 2024, setting up Messi for a goal, Paz has taken his team-mate’s wisdom to heart. “Leo told me to keep working hard and to stay humble,” he recalled to Sport Mediaset. “If I could, I’d steal his left leg…”

As he swaps the stunning backdrops of Menaggio for the high-intensity arenas of the World Cup, the weight of the moment isn’t lost on him. It is a milestone he has visualised since childhood.

“I’ve been dreaming of the World Cup since I was little, ever since I used to watch the matches on TV. For me, it would be incredible. I work every single day just to get there,” he told Sport Mediaset back in April. And now, his dream has come true.

Como hasn’t just polished a diamond; they have helped unleash a player ready to take on the world.