I was too ashamed to talk to Lionel Messi when I was training with him. Now I play for another Barcelona legend.

NICO PAZ admitted he was “too ashamed” to speak to Lionel Messi when training with him.

The midfielder made his Argentina debut in October in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

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Paz, 20, provided Messi with an assist in the 6-0 win and was later praised by the former Barcelona star.

Messi claimed the Como star can ‘continue to grow’ and that he ‘understands the game perfectly’.

He added: “I hope he continues like this.

“He played, he enjoyed it and I think he will feel comfortable in this team because he likes to have the ball.”

Paz revealed that he first met Messi when he was 17.

The midfielder trained with the Argentina national team during his youth days.

He admitted he was “too ashamed” to try to talk to Messi and got “nervous” seeing him.

He told DAZN: “I had met him once before, when I was 17, with the U20s, during training with the senior national team.

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“It was the second time I saw him, but the first time I was in the dressing room with him.

“I didn’t talk to him, I was too ashamed.

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“I get nervous when I see him.”

Since then, Paz has become one of the most promising midfielders in Europe.

After progressing within the Real Madrid academy, he made the bold decision to leave in August.

He joined Serie A newcomers Como for £5 million and became a key player for manager Cesc Fabregas.

This season, he has made 15 Serie A appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists.