Nico Paz addresses possibility of wearing number ten with Argentina

Argentine player Nico Paz, who plays for Italian club Como, discussed the details of his future with his national team and the prospect of wearing the future number 10 shirt long associated with legendary player Lionel Messi, following his standout performances during the recent international window and scoring three goals in three official matches. In press statements to DAZN following his team's match against Roma in the Italian Serie A, Paz considered his recent experience with the Tango dancers to be exceptional, despite the emotional atmosphere accompanying Messi's farewell, emphasizing his strong aspirations to maintain an upward trajectory with his current club. The player explained in his remarks that the past two weeks witnessed unforgettable moments, noting that Messi's departure marked a day full of melancholy, but he also thoroughly enjoyed the general atmosphere while scoring several goals and delivering a solid performance, which motivates him to currently focus on transferring that same level of performance to Como. This media appearance by Paz came after he established himself as one of the most promising names during the international break in September and October, utilizing the minutes granted by the coaching staff to score three goals and cement his place within the national squad. That period also witnessed another bright milestone represented by his scoring of a goal assisted by Lionel Messi during the match between Argentina and Benin, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the former. This remarkable brilliance sparked wide questions about the anticipated succession of the number 10 shirt within the Argentina national team, given the historical symbolism this shirt holds, being long associated with Messi and late football legend Diego Maradona. Regarding whether he had received an official notification about the possibility of inheriting this famous shirt, the player's response was concise, denying having any confirmed information and stating that he knows nothing about the matter. Thus, the Como forward preferred to leave the file regarding Messi's successor in this aspect open and without a final decision, awaiting whatever directions the Argentina national team coaching staff might take in upcoming fixtures. On the domestic competition front, Paz returned to the Italian atmosphere through a goalless draw achieved by his team Como against Roma, in a match characterized by extreme difficulty in cracking the opponent's defensive line and creating dangerous attempts on the rival's goal. He drew attention to the fact that the capital club adopted a strictly defensive tactic through the crowding of players inside the penalty area, which narrowed the available spaces for his team, emphasizing the necessity of moving the ball faster to disrupt the opposing ranks. He concluded his statements by stressing that the match was complicated due to the intense defensive crowding, pointing out the need to circulate the ball at a higher pace to open up gaps, and emphasizing that the team gave their utmost and must now turn the page and think about what lies ahead.