"After many weeks of reflection, I have decided that the best option for my career at this time is to stay at the club for another year," Nico Paz told football-italia.net. That line gets to the heart of this move. Como keep one of their key players for 2026-2027, while Real Madrid keep long-term control through a unilateral buy-back option for 2027-2028.
It is a development call more than a separation. Madrid officially backed the stay, and their statement made another important point clear: the agreement was made at the player's own request.
The agreement and Madrid's control
Real Madrid's official line, reported by football-italia.net, was unambiguous on the two central details. "Real Madrid C.F., Como 1907, and Nico Paz have reached an agreement for the player to remain at the Italian club for the 2026-2027 season. This agreement, which has been made at the player's own request, also provides that Real Madrid retains a unilateral buy-back option for Nico Paz's federative rights for the 2027-2028 season."
That leaves very little room for confusion about the broad shape of the deal. Paz is staying in Italy for one more season. Madrid still hold the power to bring him back later.
There is a small qualification on how complete the process was at the time of reporting. Football Italia and Goal presented the stay as agreed, while managingmadrid.com reported that some details still had to be defined and adjusted. The stronger reading still favours the official statement. When a club publicly confirms the stay season and the buy-back window, the core of the arrangement is settled even if paperwork around the edges may still need tidying up.
The other disputed point is why the return to Madrid did not happen now. Some outside reporting tied it to changes around Madrid's planning, but the accounts attached to the deal itself point in a different direction. Madrid said the agreement was made at Paz's own request, and the player said he saw another year at Como as the best move for his career. On the evidence available, that explanation carries more weight than the noise around internal triggers.
Como's sporting case was strong
Paz's decision also makes sense on football grounds. He has already made 75 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, scoring 19 goals and producing 17 assists. For a young midfielder choosing between a return to an elite squad and another year as a central figure, regular minutes and responsibility are not minor details.
Como gave him both, and the team around him improved as well. They finished fourth in Serie A with 71 points from 38 matches and secured Champions League qualification on the final day. Staying there for 2026-2027 is not a conservative move dressed up as patience. It looks like a player choosing a serious competitive step where he is already trusted.
Cesc Fabregas put it simply when he told goal.com Paz was "a very important player for our growth. We grew with him, and he grew with us." That sounds accurate rather than sentimental. The numbers and the league finish back up the idea that this has been a proper football project, not just a temporary landing spot.
Pablo Paz also said the appeal of another season in Italy was tied to development and the possibility of Champions League football. That fits the wider picture. A player with Paz's output can stay in a team built around him, play at a higher level in Europe, and do it without shutting the door on Madrid.
Paz's call looks sensible for both sides
Paz said he believed staying was "the best decision for both me and Real Madrid, as it is a very important year at this stage of my career and a unique opportunity to continue growing as a footballer and prepare myself in the best way for the future." It is hard to argue with that logic from either side.
From Como's view, they keep a decisive player for another season. From Madrid's view, they avoid rushing his return and preserve a unilateral buy-back option for 2027-2028. That is a strong position for a club that still believes in the player but does not need to force the timing.
The interesting part now is not whether Paz belongs on Madrid's radar, he clearly does. It is whether another season as a leading player at Como sharpens the case for that return even further. For now, the confirmed picture is straightforward: Paz stays at Como for 2026-2027, and Real Madrid keep the next move in their hands.
FAQ
Why did Nico Paz stay at Como instead of returning to Real Madrid?
Paz said he chose to stay because another year at Como was the best option for his career at this stage. He framed it as a chance to keep growing after the club gave him the platform to develop, and Real Madrid's statement said the agreement was made at the player's own request.
Does Real Madrid still control Nico Paz's future after his Como stay?
Yes. Real Madrid confirmed that while Paz will remain at Como for the 2026-2027 season, the deal includes a unilateral buy-back option for his federative rights for 2027-2028. So this is not a clean break from Madrid, even with another season in Italy agreed.
Was Nico Paz's move to stay at Como fully finalised?
Real Madrid and other reports presented the agreement as done, but one report from managingmadrid.com said some details still had to be defined and adjusted. The clearest confirmed points are that Paz stays at Como for 2026-2027 and Madrid retain a unilateral buy-back option for 2027-2028.
How well has Nico Paz performed for Como before deciding to stay?
He has been a major part of Como's rise. Paz made 75 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, scoring 19 goals and adding 17 assists. Como also finished fourth in Serie A with 71 points from 38 matches and secured Champions League qualification on the final day.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →