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Lionel Messi is amongst a number of stars who might have represented Spain as an alternative of Argentina, but selected the South American giants. Lately, extra gamers have adopted that path, choosing the Albiceleste regardless of ties to Spain. Beneath this development, an Argentina World Cup champion delivered a pointed jab at La Roja.
One of the vital talked-about gamers of the 2025–26 season has been Nico Paz, who is predicted to return to Actual Madrid in 2026 after his standout performances with Como 1904. Although raised in Spain, the midfielder selected to signify the nationwide crew of his father, Pablo Paz, a choice that sparked debate, given he lived just a few years on Argentine soil earlier than returning to Spain when he was simply 11.
Alejandro “Papu” Gómez, certainly one of Argentina’s World Cup–profitable heroes, praised the work of the Argentine FA and didn’t miss the prospect to needle Spain. When requested by Marca about Paz’s rise, he fired his shot: “He’s the third one who will get away from you. You’ve already let a number of slip by way of. If we begin from Messi to (Alejandro) Garnacho and now, effectively, Nico Paz.”
Alejandro Garnacho is without doubt one of the most notable examples. The Chelsea winger performed for Spain’s U-18 nationwide crew and featured in a number of youth matches, however the AFA, together with a mission led by Messi, satisfied him to change allegiances, successfully “stealing” a high Spanish prospect for Argentina.
Alejandro Gomez enjoying for AC Monza again in 2023.
FIFA’s guidelines have been as soon as far stricter, stopping gamers who appeared in a nation’s youth groups from ever switching, even when they by no means earned a senior call-up. Now rules are extra versatile; the one barrier is making an official senior debut, a path Garnacho, Paz, and even Pablo Maffeo navigated as Spanish-Argentine twin nationals.
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Gómez sees a giant future for Paz
In 2024, Paz made the daring determination to go away Actual Madrid for newly promoted Como, led by Cesc Fàbregas, and the transfer paid off. The Argentine has develop into certainly one of Serie A’s high scorers and help leaders within the 2025–26 season (each classes with 5) rekindling Actual Madrid’s curiosity in activating his return.
Gómez, who just lately returned to motion after serving a two-year suspension for doping, didn’t maintain again his admiration for the younger midfielder. “Nico is killing it. You might already see the standard he had, and I believe he’s doing very effectively. He’s already earned his well-deserved call-up to the senior nationwide crew, and I’m certain we’ll see him at the perfect golf equipment on the planet and spending a few years enjoying for the nationwide crew.”
Now at Serie B facet Padova, the World Cup winner believes Paz’s subsequent leap is inevitable. “I believe at any second he’ll have the ability to make that high quality leap to a extra necessary membership, or return to Actual Madrid — however this time he’ll be extra ready than when he was at Madrid, when he was youthful and had much less area,” the World Cup champion concluded.
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