In a recent press conference, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez voiced his disappointment over the sale of promising young player Nico Paz, who was transferred to Italian club Como for €6 million. Pérez revealed that the decision was influenced by then-manager Carlo Ancelotti and noted that Paz’s market value has now risen by 311%.
Paz, who joined Real Madrid’s academy from Tenerife at the age of 12, made eight first-team appearances last season. In search of regular first-team football, he moved to newly promoted Serie A side Como at the close of the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid included a buy-back clause in the agreement, a typical arrangement for the club when selling young players. It is reported that activating the clause at the end of this season would cost Real Madrid €9 million, with the price set to rise to €10 million in 2026 and €11 million in 2027.
Ancelotti, facing increasing pressure after disappointing results by Real Madrid, had previously spoken about Paz’s potential, saying, “We follow him closely. I believe this year away from Real Madrid will benefit him. He’s a player we think will be the future of the club.”
Despite these comments, the decision to sell Paz is now being questioned, especially given his impressive progress at Como. This situation has contributed to the mounting criticism of Ancelotti, whose position is reportedly under threat after a string of poor results, including a 4-0 loss to Barcelona in El Clásico and a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League.
The club’s leadership is now considering activating the buy-back clause to bring Paz back, acknowledging that his development aligns with the long-term vision for Real Madrid. This situation highlights the complexities of managing young talent at top football clubs, where the pressure for immediate success can sometimes conflict with long-term growth strategies.
