'I was too ashamed to talk to Lionel Messi' - Former Real Madrid wonderkid Nico Paz opens up on what it was like to share dressing room with Barcelona icon

Argentine rising star Nico Paz has shared his experience of sharing a dressing room with his idol, Lionel Messi, revealing that he felt too starstruck to speak with the 2022 World Cup winner. Paz, who is currently playing for Como in Serie A, is working under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, a former Barcelona team-mate of Messi.

Paz was hailed as one of the best prospect in La Fabrica, Real Madrid's youth academy, having joined them in 2016 as an 11-year-old. He made eight appearances for the first team in the 2023-24, before being sold to newly promoted Serie A side Como on a four-year deal, albeit with a buy-back clause in place.

Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina head coach, handed Paz his international debut in October against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier match, where he assisted Messi. Following the game, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner heaped praise on the 20-year-old.

"Now Nico Paz has made his debut, and he has a lot of quality and I hope he continues to grow," Messi said after beating Bolivia 6-0. "He wasn't born when I made my debut in Primera, yes, I knew (laughs). He has a great head, he understands the game perfectly and I hope he continues like this. He played, he enjoyed it and I think he'll feel comfortable in this team because he likes having the ball."

Despite receiving praise from Messi, the attacking midfielder admitted that he found it difficult to speak with the 37-year-old legend in the locker room, overwhelmed by the presence of his idol.

"I had met him once before, when I was 17 years old, with the U20s, in a training session with the senior national team," Paz told DAZN (as quoted by Corriere dello Sport). "This was the second time I saw him, but the first time I was in the locker room with him. I didn't talk to him, I was too ashamed. I get nervous when I see him."

Paz has stolen the limelight in Serie A this season for minnows Como, scoring twice and delivering three assists in 15 Serie A games. He has become one of the first names on the team sheet for head coach Fabregas. For all of Paz's exploits, though, Como are battling relegation as they find themselves in 16th position in the league table. Their upcoming encounter is against the in-form Inter Milan away from home on Monday, December 23.