Real Madrid News
18-year-old prodigy considered the best youth talent at Real Madrid by officials – report
Real Madrid have become a hotbed for young talents recently, with the club producing a nurturing series of homegrown individuals.
Alvaro Rodriguez has impressed onlookers with his performances this season while Sergio Arribas, too, has gained minutes for the first team.
According to El Debate (h/t Madrid Xtra), another Real Madrid academy player could be earmarked for success in the form of Nico Paz. The youngster currently plies his trade for the Under-19 team, but may soon receive his debut for the first team.
A central midfielder by trade, Paz had joined the Real Madrid academy in the summer of 2016. Since then, he has enjoyed rapid growth in La Fabrica. At 18, he has become a crucial player for the U19, notably scoring one goal and three assists in the Primera Federacion this season.
Paz has also represented Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth League, scoring five goals before the team eventually got knocked out of the quarterfinals at the hands of eventual champions AZ Alkmaar.
Nevertheless, the report suggests Paz is regarded very highly in the Real Madrid camp, with the Argentine starlet considered the best youth talent at the club.
The 18-year-old prodigy is understood to have surprised several first-team players. And, some people at the club even believe he is ready to make his debut for the senior side, as we head towards the final phase of the campaign.
With Real Madrid down and out in the race for the league title, coach Carlo Ancelotti might look to experiment with his team selection in the league matches, in order to keep his stars fit for the cup matches.
This, in turn, could enable Paz to receive regular minutes during the remainder of the campaign.
Paz’s potential run of opportunities could start this coming weekend as Real Madrid play hosts to Almeria.
Real Madrid have a host of talent coming through their youth setup, with the likes of Sergio Arribas, Vinicius Tobias, and Nico Paz impressing the club through their performances with Real Madrid Castilla.
Paz, especially, has been touted as one of the biggest talents coming through the Madrid academy. He is considered ‘the’ talent from the youth setup, with a lot of expectations around him.
A midfielder by trade, Paz has seemingly impressed two of the biggest names in world football, according to MARCA.
One of them is Toni Kroos, who has watched Paz closely during training with the senior team. The German complimented him, as well, saying, “This boy should train with us every day because he is terrific.”
He has also seemingly created an impression on none other than Lionel Messi, while the two were training with Argentina together.
Carlo Ancelotti has also joined the praise parade for Paz, “He has projections to play in the first team. He is doing very well with Arbeloa and the times he was used by Raúl he has also done very well at Castilla.”
Paz has already been included in the squad list for two games so far this season, and will continue to train with Real Madrid’s senior squad. He is also expected to be a part of los blancos’ pre-season tour, after which he could get minutes next season.
Real Madrid have renewed the Argentine’s contract up until 2027, as they wanted to lock him down quickly for the long-term. There, is however, a chance he could leave Madrid on lock next season to get minutes with a senior division side.
