“He’s great, he should always train with us”. These were the words of Toni Kroos referring to Nico Paz to endorse the quality of a different footballer in all aspects of life. The Argentine midfielder has been ‘subjected’ to a personality test, which has served to define and assess him as a footballer during the tour of the real Madrid for the United States. And it is that the only field squad player who packed his bags to cross the pond to put himself under Ancelotti’s orders, he has become the sensation of the tour: “He has his feet on the ground and a unique predisposition to continue learning. He has no ceiling”they say from the white club.
Nico Paz impresses at Real Madrid’s last training session in the United States
Analytical, kind, conductive and expressive from the first day. The Argentine midfielder has shown his repertoire, too elaborate for a footballer who is only 18 years old, to fit perfectly into the first team squad. Some characteristics that allow it to be nourished as far as the eye can see to become an important piece within the Italian coaching system (not everything can be defined as starters or substitutes). Because who has been able to enjoy watching play Nico Paz understands at the first exchange that there is something that escapes all logic. A special talent that has not hesitated to show their companions the necessary daring to continue signing all the points of a roadmap that will take him this season to take another leap in quality.
No pressure… but no fear
“Nico is very talented and very young. He looks like a first team player. We don’t want to put pressure on him because he has to improvebut he has the quality to play for Real Madrid in the future”, confesses Ancelotti. Skilled and technical midfielder, with a refined quality that attracts attention as soon as you see it… and with a left-handed that overflows creativity (a myth that with Nico Paz is fulfilled). However, what most surprises the young youth squad is his way of approaching the opportunities that have been given to him every time he was burning through his training phases. Nico is a sponge that absorbs everythingwith an overwhelming attitude and, what has surprised the most during the tour, with a body fully prepared for the elite (1.85 and 79 kilos) that has allowed him to be one of the squad.
Because Nico Paz has become during the preseason of Real Madrid in the footballer that every coach dreams of coaching. The right eye of Carlo Ancelotti, who has had minutes during the three games on North American soil, also surprises with his maturity and his know-how. A ability to observe and adapt that have allowed him to win the affection of all his colleagues: “That’s good, Nico.” or “go ahead, Nico”, are the most repeated phrases every time the young pearl gives away a quality moment during training. And it is that the ‘protected’ of Kroos must continue with the plan organized by the white teamone that happens to become the leader of the Castilla project, while continuing to climb positions in the complicated mountain of competitiveness of Real Madrid. No pressure… but no fearThat is the mission that awaits the Argentine to continue fighting for his dream. Because the Argentine midfielder has completed a tour showing an unusual level and thanks to its quality and personality He has fitted perfectly into an experienced dressing room full of established stars.
This was Nico Paz’s great goal against Las Palmas: control with the chest and right hand
Thus, his great projection and the good feelings he has left on the North American tour allow Real Madrid rubbing hands with a player who aims to be the future, not too distant, in midfield that has been modifying the white club for some time. Against him AC Milan replaced Jude Bellingham in 63; before him Manchester Utd Vinicius in 1972; and 7 minutes against Juve… to accumulate more than 50 minutes of play (against Barcelona he was left without playing), where he has shown flashes in top-level matches to create a soccer player silhouette with a promising future. “A very special tour for me has come to an end where I have been able to enjoy with the best in the world. Very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to the start of the season“, explains a footballer who has shown that he has his feet on the ground.
