“He understands the game perfectly” - Lionel Messi lavishes praise on former Real Madrid midfielder

Argentina legend Lionel Messi has waxed lyrical of former Real Madrid midfielder Nico Paz. The 20-year-old made his Albiceleste debut in their 6-0 demolition of Bolivia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier earlier this week.

Paz came on to replace Lautaro Martinez in the second half, with the defending world champions leading 3-0 at the break, thanks to goals from Messi, Martinez and Julian Alvarez.

The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Los Blancos before moving from Castilla to Como this summer. Paz - an Arsenal and Chelsea target (as per TBR) - earned praise from his national team captain, who said (as per GOAL):

"We played very well between the lines, at a high level. Now Nico Paz has made his debut, and he has a lot of quality, and I hope he continues to grow. He wasn't born when I made my debut in Primera, yes, I knew (laughs).

Messi, who scored a hat-trick and bagged two assists in the game, continued:

"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."

With their win in Bueonos Aires, Messi and Co. are three points clear of second-placed Colombia (19) in the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying standings after 10 games.

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How has Lionel Messi fared against Real Madrid?

Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the game's most prolific goalscorers, having scored 846 times for club and country during his illustrious career spanning two decades.

Twenty-six of those goals (in 47 games) have come against Real Madrid, against whom he has played the most games. The goals have come in three different competitions - La Liga, UEFA Champions League and Supercopa Espana - with most of them (18 goals in 29 games) - along with nine assists - coming in the league while he was with Barcelona.

The Blaugrana won 14 of those league games and lost nine, with Messi also contributed nine assists. He has also scored twice against Los Blancos in the UEFA Champions League - both times while at Barca - having drawn blanks in two games in the competition while he was at Paris Saint-Germain.

Interestingly, Messi went scoreless in eight Copa del Rey games against Real Madrid but did provide three assists, with Barca winning twice and losing thrice.