Following the international retirement of Lionel Messi after a legendary two-decade career with the Albiceleste, Argentine media reports indicate that former Real Madrid midfielder Nico Paz is the leading candidate to inherit the iconic number 10 shirt. According to reports from sports outlets covering the national team, head coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to formalize the transition of the storied jersey—previously worn by Diego Maradona and Messi—contingent upon the expected extension of his managerial contract.
The End of an Era for Argentina
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football, concluding a transformative 20-year career that yielded historic triumphs for his country. In a statement published via social media, the forward described the decision as difficult but necessary after two decades representing the senior national team. The Asociación del Futebol Argentino (AFA) subsequently released a tribute video acknowledging his decades of service, dedication, and leadership.
With the departure of the team’s long-serving captain and talisman, attention immediately turned to the vacant squad number. Argentine sports journalists report that the federation and coaching staff have earmarked Nicolás Paz Martínez as the natural successor to the number 10 shirt, marking a symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation of midfielders.
Who Is Nico Paz? Background and Career Ascent
Born in September 2004 in Tenerife, Spain, Nicolás Paz Martínez is the son of former Argentine international defender Pablo Paz, who represented the Albiceleste at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Although born in the Canary Islands, the younger Paz chose to represent Argentina internationally, earning his initial call-up to the under-20 squad in 2022.
Paz developed through the youth systems of local clubs San Juan and Tenerife before joining Real Madrid’s academy, La Fábrica, in 2016. While he showed considerable promise in the youth ranks, limited opportunities in the senior squad prompted a transfer to Italian club Como in 2024, structured with a buy-back clause retained by the Spanish giants.
Rise in Serie A and International Integration
In Italy, Paz established himself as one of the standout performers in Serie A, driving Como to historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League. His club form earned him a senior international debut and a place in Argentina’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he featured in group-stage fixtures against Algeria and Jordan, totaling 71 minutes of tournament action.
Tactically, analysts note that Paz excels in tight spaces, utilizing exceptional spatial awareness and close-control dribbling to bypass defensive pressure. If Scaloni finalizes his anticipated contract extension beyond December, the coaching staff is projected to place the creative burden of the team squarely on the young playmaker’s shoulders as World Cup qualification cycles resume.
Next Steps for the Albiceleste
Fans and analysts will monitor whether Paz receives the official designation as the squad’s new playmaker ahead of regional fixtures.
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