Concern grows for Argentina as Nico Paz’s World Cup hopes unexpectedly hang in the balance
The Como midfielder’s knee injury is proving more troublesome than expected, forcing Argentina to consider possible alternatives.
Nico Paz has become a growing concern for Argentina ahead of the World Cup. The Como midfielder is still struggling with a knee injury suffered during his team’s third-to-last game of the season against Hellas Verona, an issue that also forced him to miss the final two matches of the campaign.
Initial assessments suggested it was nothing more than a minor setback and would not affect his availability for the tournament. However, uncertainty surrounding both the recovery timeline and the true extent of the injury is beginning to raise alarms within the Argentine camp.
Optimism gives way to concern
Over the past few days, confidence regarding Paz’s recovery has started to fade. What was initially viewed as a straightforward issue is now generating greater concern, with fears that the problem could extend beyond a simple muscular injury.
Argentina’s medical staff will continue to evaluate him on a day-to-day basis before making a final decision. For now, he is considered doubtful for the World Cup.
After a breakthrough season, Paz, who looks set to return to Real Madrid, is expected to play a significant role in Argentina’s next generation of talent. His absence would leave a noticeable gap in midfield for the reigning world champions, a team that has already had to adapt following Ángel Di María’s retirement and remains in need of creative, technically gifted players capable of linking play between the lines.
Emiliano Buendía emerges as leading alternative
If Paz is ultimately ruled out, the player best positioned to take his place could be Emiliano Buendía, another highly skilled Argentine with ties to Real Madrid’s youth system.
Following an outstanding finish to the season and a strong run with Aston Villa, Buendía would have a compelling case for inclusion in Argentina’s squad.
Capable of operating across multiple attacking midfield roles, Buendía offers versatility and creativity in the final third. He also showed his ability to influence major matches during Aston Villa’s run in Europe, while the confidence gained from his recent performances could prove valuable in a tournament environment where momentum often plays a decisive role.
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