Lionel Scaloni included the young member of Real Madrid academy Nico Paz in the final list of Argentina squad for the last two World Cup 2022 qualifying games against Venezuela and Ecuador. But who is Nico Paz?

Nico joined Real Madrid's youth academy in 2017 after growing up in Tenerife. He was born in Spain and has dual nationality, despite having Argentinean blood. He began his career as a centre-back, trying to emulate his father, but he quickly realized that his abilities were better suited to playing higher up the field. He moved to center-forward until his coaches realized that his best position is out wide on the wing, where he can beat opponents and deliver crosses. He was at his best when he was on the wing.

He is most often seen hugging the touchline on both flanks, but he is also capable of playing in other positions. He is at ease with both feet. Nico plays the wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Fran Beltrán's tutelage. He has been playing in three different categories this season, for the Under-18s, Under-19s, and Castilla. Even if Scaloni has decided it is time for him to take the next step, he has been developing slowly and in his own time.

Last summer, he made his Castilla debut in a pre-season friendly against Cultural Leonesa, then made his first official appearance on January 8 in a 3-1 win over Andorra. Nico came on to replace Morante in the 82nd minute. His family, who are mostly in Tenerife, flew in specifically to watch the game from Di Stéfano's stands. Nico has since made two more appearances, both as a substitute, against Alcoyano and Nàstic.

Nico is a very creative player who can get into the opponents' area with relative ease, in addition to having tremendous quality and close control. He also has a good eye for goal, scoring his first goal for the Under-19s in a 2-0 win over Getafe just two and a half minutes after kick-off on 10 January, just a few days after making his debut with Castilla. Physically, he is now filling out and becoming stronger as a member of the 2004 generation. He is 1.76 metres tall and will turn 18 in September.

Real Madrid is well aware of his potential, having recently offered him a professional contract with high expectations of him in the medium-term. He has seven goals in nine games for the Under-18s this season, the majority of them from outside the box, similar to Marco Asensio's style. So far this season, he has made six appearances for the Under-19s.