Nico Paz Echoes Lionel Messi’s 2008 Feat as Como Stuns RB Leipzig in Historic Champions League Debut

Nico Paz produced a display that instantly evoked comparisons to Lionel Messi as Como launched their inaugural Champions League campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the refurbished Stadio Sinigaglia.

Per OptaJoe, Paz’s two assists made him the youngest Argentine to create multiple goals in a single Champions League fixture since Messi achieved the feat for Barcelona against Basel in October 2008, at 21 years and 120 days old.

Paz, aged 22 years and two days, becomes the first Argentine to replicate that milestone since Messi did so 18 years ago, though Messi retains the distinction of being the youngest player ever to accomplish it.

Messi’s final Champions League assist arrived on November 2, 2022, when he set up Kylian Mbappé’s opener in a 2-1 win over Juventus that concluded PSG’s group stage. He finished that campaign with four goals and four assists in seven appearances; the subsequent round-of-16 exit to Bayern Munich marked his last European outing before his move to Inter Miami, a chapter of history Paz has now entered nearly two decades later.

Como’s Debut Victory Etches Name in Italian Football History

Como’s 4-1 rout of RB Leipzig represents more than three points to open their maiden Champions League campaign; it stands as the largest winning margin ever recorded by an Italian club in a European competition debut.

Martin Baturina opened the scoring before assisting Tasos Douvikas, while Assane Diao and substitute Maxi Perrone added further goals in the second half. Andrija Maksimović’s strike served as Leipzig’s only reply.

After the match, Paz revealed that his ambition to make history with Como drove his decision to remain in Italy despite reported interest from Real Madrid. “It was for nights like this that I wanted to stay. I knew this is where I would grow the most, and I am really pleased with my decision. I made the right choice,” the Argentine said.

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