Paz first demonstrated his footballing ability against Napoli back on 29 November 2023, long before the Spanish-born Argentine's exploits came to light consistently this season at Como.
That evening, on the fifth matchday of the 2023-24 Champions League group stage, Napoli visited the Santiago Bernabeu. The Italian side, then coached by Walter Mazzarri, were stuttering in the league and keen to secure some success in Europe.
The Azzurri looked to be heading for a 2-2 draw until Paz, who replaced Brahim Diaz, turned the game around with a left-footed effort from range that bounced deceptively past Alex Meret and helped Los Blancos to a 4-2 win.
That night, few supporters could have imagined the path of the blonde, almost old-fashioned creative midfielder, whose upbringing and growth have since helped him to fit seamlessly into the modern game.
Huge impact
The first senior goal of Paz's career was a baptism of fire, immediately propelling him to the highest level of prominence at the world's biggest club.
While his raw ability wasn't immediately enough to break into Real's first team, it did however attract the attention of Como manager Cesc Fabregas.
The 20-year-old, who has an Argentine passport but grew up in Spain, was seen as a crucial part of Fabregas' project. After only a handful of league matches, the Spanish coach knew the importance of Paz to his team.
Used in a 4-2-3-1 formation as a central attacking midfielder, Paz starred for the newly promoted side right from the off, providing plenty of creativity and fluidity in the final third.
Capable of playing with his back to goal and creating space for himself in key areas, the Argentine international has also been deployed as a false centre forward at times.
Last weekend's superb performance against Napoli, in which he not only impressed on the ball but also provided the match-winning assist for Assane Diao, underlined Paz's growing reputation in Serie A.
International recognition
A South American talent with a strong European influence, Paz is the product of a fusion between two styles.
He's left-footed and silky on the ball like his illustrious compatriots Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, although he inherited his passion for football from his father Pablo, who played as a defender at the turn of the millennium without ever shining on the biggest stage.
Pablo's eight years at Tenerife made him fond of the Canary Island where Nico, now Como's second-highest scorer with six goals behind Cutrone, was born on 8 September 2004.
What is most surprising about Nico is his great maturity. Paz always demands the ball, regardless of whether he is marked or not. This was noticed by Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who handed the playmaker his debut against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
In that game, Paz provided Messi with an assist for the final goal in an emphatic 6-0 victory.
Unsurprisingly, his exploits have attracted the interest of several top teams around Europe, including Inter Milan. That could be an option or he could even return to the Bernabeu where it all began in November 2023 against Napoli.
It certainly won't be easy given Real's already huge squad of world-class players, but it would be a dream outcome for Paz
