Nico Paz: Two amazing weeks with Messi, I don’t know about his no.10 shirt

FolioPitch.com – 12 October 2026 | Nico Paz has opened up about his whirlwind international break with Argentina, describing it as “two amazing weeks” while admitting he remains in the dark over who will inherit Lionel Messi’s iconic no.10 shirt. The 21-year-old Como attacking midfielder, speaking after his club’s 0-0 draw against Roma in Serie A on Sunday, reflected on a period that saw him score three goals in three appearances for the Albiceleste, including a memorable strike assisted by Messi in the captain’s final international match. The phrase Nico Paz Two amazing weeks with Messi I don t know about his no 10 shirt perfectly captures the mix of euphoria and uncertainty that has defined his September-October window.

During the international break, Paz announced himself on the senior stage with a series of standout performances. His three goals in three games for Argentina included a close-range finish against Benin in Buenos Aires, set up by none other than Messi, who was making his 187th and final appearance for his country after announcing his international retirement on August 31. The 3-0 victory at Estadio Monumental became an emotional farewell for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Paz was thrust into the spotlight as one of the heirs apparent to the legendary no.10 jersey.

“They were two amazing weeks,” Paz told DAZN. “Messi’s farewell was a sad day, but I also enjoyed it so much. I scored some goals, I had a few good games and now I want to carry on and do the same with Como.” His words echoed the sentiment of a player who has rapidly become a fan favourite in Italy and Argentina alike. Yet when pressed on whether he had been told he would take over the no.10 shirt — a number worn by Messi for 15 years and previously by Diego Maradona — Paz was unequivocal: “No I don’t know.”

The no.10 debate has dominated Argentine football discourse since Messi’s announcement. Paz, along with other young talents, has been tipped as a potential successor, but the Como star insists no decision has been communicated to him. The phrase Nico Paz Two amazing weeks with Messi I don t know about his no 10 shirt has since become a talking point among fans and pundits, symbolising both the promise and the pressure of following in Messi’s footsteps.

Back in Serie A, Paz returned to action for Como in a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Roma at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium. The match was a frustrating affair for the hosts, who struggled to break down a resilient Roma defence. “It was difficult because they put a lot of players in the penalty area and we should have moved the ball around a bit faster, opened it up a bit more,” Paz explained. “We’ve done all we can and now we have to move on.”

Paz’s rise has been meteoric. After coming through the Real Madrid academy, he moved to Como in 2024 and has since become one of the most exciting young playmakers in Italy. His performances for Argentina have only enhanced his reputation, with many now viewing him as a cornerstone of the post-Messi era. The recurring theme of Nico Paz Two amazing weeks with Messi I don t know about his no 10 shirt underscores the dual narrative of his career: extraordinary achievement alongside the weight of expectation.

For now, Paz remains focused on the present. Como sit mid-table in Serie A, and the midfielder is determined to translate his international form into club success. “I want to carry on and do the same with Como,” he reiterated. The coming months will reveal whether he can maintain his scoring touch and whether the no.10 shirt eventually finds its way to his shoulders.

As Argentina begin their post-Messi rebuild, Paz’s emergence offers a beacon of hope. But the young man himself is keeping his feet on the ground, aware that the legacy of the no.10 is not easily assumed. The question of who will wear it next remains unanswered, and Paz is comfortable with the ambiguity. Nico Paz Two amazing weeks with Messi I don t know about his no 10 shirt — a phrase that encapsulates a remarkable fortnight and a future full of possibilities.

In conclusion, Nico Paz’s international breakthrough has been nothing short of spectacular, but the mystery surrounding Messi’s no.10 shirt persists. Whether Paz becomes the next owner of that fabled jersey or not, his performances have already written his name into the conversation. For a player who describes his time with Messi as “two amazing weeks,” the journey is only just beginning.