If there has been one knock on Real Madrid as a club, it's that they're not known for their star players coming from their academy system. The club has developed only a handful of talent that eventually break into the first team, but for the most part, they bring in their stars from elsewhere.
And of the stars they do develop, almost all of them end up being sent out on loan to play elsewhere, as they just don't have a place in the team. Which is a shame because some of the players from the academy who have managed to break into the first team have shown true potential, but one in particular showed more promise than others.
Nico Paz broke into the first team squad during the 23/24 season, capitalizing on a thin injury injury-riddled squad, and he took full advantage of his limited playing time, showing his class and potential he had.
However, following the arrivals of players like Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, Paz didn't really have a place in the team anymore and, as a result, was loaned out elsewhere for consistent playing time.
The 21-year-old now plays at Como after being sold their last summer and he has been lighting up Serie A since his arrival.
He's taken home a number of Man of the Match and Young Player of the Month awards, showing he has all the potential in the world at his feet. Real Madrid are keeping a very close eye on his development and with the club retaining an €8 million buy-back clause, he could be making his return to the Bernabeu very soon.
Real Madrid reunion could spell trouble for one fringe player
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid are planning to activate their buy-back clause for Nico Paz next summer as they feel he is finally ready to make the full jump into the first team squad.
While Paz's return is an all-around good move for the club, it could be troubling for one Real Madrid player already struggling under Xabi Alonso.
That player is Rodrygo. The Brazilian has struggled to fit into the new manager's plans and has seen more minutes on the bench than on the field, and has only started two matches this season.
With Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior the guaranteed starters, and Xabi Alonso favoring Arda Güler in the starting lineup over options, adding Nico Paz to the team could spell the end for Rodrygo at the club.
Unfortunately for Rodrygo the attack is already overloaded with the likes of himself, Brahim Díaz, Franco Mastantuono, Arda Güler, Endrick, and now Nico Paz in 2026, the Brazilian could be on his way out sometime next summer.
There was loads of speculation surrounding his future this summer and where he could end up should he leave Real Madrid, with the Premier League seeming like the most likely destination at this point.