<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> is among several stars who could have represented Spain instead of Argentina, yet chose the South American giants. In recent years, more players have followed that path, opting for the Albiceleste despite ties to Spain. Under this trend, an Argentina <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">World Cup</a> champion delivered a pointed jab at La Roja.



One of the most talked-about players of the 2025–26 season has been Nico Paz, who is expected to return to Real Madrid in 2026 after his standout performances with Como 1904. Though raised in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/">Spain</a>, the midfielder chose to represent the national team of his father, Pablo Paz, a decision that sparked debate, given he lived a few years on Argentine soil before returning to Spain when he was just 11.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/alejandro-gomez/">Alejandro “Papu” Gómez</a>, one of Argentina’s World Cup–winning heroes, praised the work of the Argentine FA and didn’t miss the chance to needle Spain. When asked by Marca about Paz’s rise, he fired his shot: “He’s the third one who gets away from you. You’ve already let several slip through. If we start from Messi to (Alejandro) Garnacho and now, well, Nico Paz.”



Alejandro Garnacho is one of the most notable examples. The Chelsea winger played for Spain’s U-18 national team and featured in several youth matches, but the AFA, along with a project led by Messi, convinced him to switch allegiances, effectively “stealing” a top Spanish prospect for Argentina.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251205_WST_607996_alejandro-gomez-monza_06b0025c.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Alejandro Gomez playing for AC Monza back in 2023." class="wp-image-608001"></figure><figcaption>Alejandro Gomez playing for AC Monza back in 2023.</figcaption></figure>



FIFA’s rules were once far stricter, preventing players who appeared in a nation’s youth teams from ever switching, even if they never earned a senior call-up. Now regulations are more flexible; the only barrier is making an official senior debut, a path Garnacho, Paz, and even Pablo Maffeo navigated as Spanish-Argentine dual nationals.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/not-cristiano-ronaldos-portugal-lionel-messi-surprisingly-names-four-contenders-that-could-threaten-argentina-in-the-2026-world-cup/"></div>


<h2>Gómez sees a big future for Paz</h2>



In 2024, Paz made the bold decision to leave Real Madrid for newly promoted Como, led by Cesc Fàbregas, and the move paid off. The Argentine has become one of Serie A’s top scorers and assist leaders in the 2025–26 season (both categories with five) rekindling Real Madrid’s interest in activating his return.



Gómez, who recently returned to action after serving a two-year suspension for doping, didn’t hold back his admiration for the young midfielder. “Nico is killing it. You could already see the quality he had, and I think he’s doing very well. He’s already earned his well-deserved call-up to the senior national team, and I’m sure we’ll see him at the best clubs in the world and spending many years playing for the national team.”



Now at Serie B side Padova, the World Cup winner believes Paz’s next leap is inevitable. “I think at any moment he’ll be able to make that quality leap to a more important club, or return to Real Madrid — but this time he’ll be more prepared than when he was at Madrid, when he was younger and had less space,” the World Cup champion concluded.

Argentina World Cup champion fires jab at Spain over Lionel Messi and other stars who chose the Albiceleste

Argentina World Cup champion fires jab at Spain over Lionel Messi and other stars who chose the Albiceleste - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

On December 18, 2022, Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to capture the FIFA World Cup title. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> was the inspirational leader of that historic team, but one of his fellow champions later faced a major setback after being handed a doping ban, which has now officially come to an end.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/alejandro-gomez/">Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez</a> appeared in two matches during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign. He started in the group stage opener against Saudi Arabia — a shocking 2–1 defeat — and again in the round of 16 against Australia, a 2–1 win for the South Americans.



That match turned out to be Gomez’s last appearance for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>. He didn’t feature in the quarterfinals, semifinals, or final, and was surprisingly left out of head coach Lionel Scaloni’s call-ups for the celebratory friendlies played in Argentina in March 2023.



Speculation about his absence took an unexpected turn in mid-2023, when Gomez was found guilty of using a banned substance in 2022, during his time with Sevilla. The Argentine midfielder received a two-year suspension and managed to play just two matches for Monza in Serie A before the ban took effect.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20251022_WST_598893_papu-1200x675_f75a0118.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-590337" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Alejandro Gomez of Argentina walks past the The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>The return of Papu Gomez</h2>



On October 20, the two-year suspension for Alejandro Gomez officially expired, allowing him to return to professional soccer. Now 37 years old, he is far removed from the elite level that saw him shine at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup">World Cup</a> and play key roles for top clubs in La Liga and Serie A.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/world-cup-winner-with-messis-argentina-makes-raw-admission-after-doping-ban-soccer-had-died-for-me/"></div>


His comeback, however, will take place at a more modest European club: Calcio Padova. The Italian side competes in Serie B, Italy’s second division, and currently sit 11th in the standings with three wins, two draws, and three losses through eight matches.



Calcio Padova played their last game on Sunday, October 19 — the final day of Gomez’s suspension. Their next match will be Sunday, October 26, at home against Juve Stabia, and Papu Gomez is expected to be part of the squad. His debut is likely to generate major excitement for the club, given the rare presence of a reigning World Cup champion in Serie B.



<h2>Papu Gomez’s record with Argentina</h2>



Few players in history can match the honors Alejandro Gomez achieved with Argentina. He is a two-time world champion, a Copa America winner, and a Finalissima champion. His first title came at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, where he played alongside future stars like Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, and Ever Banega.



However, it would take many years for Gomez to earn a place with the senior national team. As a creative midfielder or winger, he faced fierce competition for playing time, often overshadowed by superstars like Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.



Gomez made his senior debut for Argentina in 2017 at the age of 29 but only became a regular under Lionel Scaloni starting in 2020. From that point forward, he was heavily involved in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup and secured his roster spot after Giovani Lo Celso was ruled out due to injury.



In total, Gomez made 17 appearances for Argentina between 2017 and 2022, scoring three goals and providing four assists. He won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima against Italy, and, of course, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

World Cup winner with Messi’s Argentina ends two-year doping ban with return to Italian soccer

World Cup winner with Messi’s Argentina ends two-year doping ban with return to Italian soccer - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> reached the pinnacle of world soccer on December 18, 2022, when he led Argentina to victory over France in the FIFA World Cup Final. Alongside him, 25 other players etched their names into the sport’s most glorious chapter. But not long after that triumph, one of those stars was handed a significant suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.



Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez was a starter in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>’s matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia during the 2022 World Cup. At the time, he was playing for Sevilla in La Liga, where he remained until the summer of 2023. His move to Monza sparked high hopes for the Italian side, which had just signed a 35-year-old World Cup champion who still had plenty to offer.



However, Gomez’s stint at Monza was short-lived. He played only two Serie A matches before it was revealed he had tested positive in an October 2022 anti-doping control for Terbutaline, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Argentine midfielder explained that he had taken a cough syrup intended for his children—but the explanation didn’t prevent a two-year suspension.



Now preparing for his return to the pitch with Padova in Italy’s Serie B, Papu opened up about that difficult chapter in an interview on the De Visitante podcast. “The first few months were tough. It was hard for me to watch soccer at first—I’d turn off the TV. Soccer had died for me,” said Alejandro.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250912_WST_590335_papu-1200x675_789fd71f.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-590337" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Alejandro Gomez of Argentina walks past the The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy.</figcaption></figure>



“I isolated myself and started working with a psychologist because I was stuck in a loop I couldn’t get out of,” added the 37-year-old midfielder, who last played an official match on October 8, 2023, in Monza’s 3–0 win over Salernitana. “Why should I be forced to retire from soccer when I don’t want to and it’s not my time? Why should two or three people in suits, who’ve never played sports, decide when I’m done?”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/lionel-messi-reaches-historic-feat-with-argentina-after-24-years-in-conmebol-world-cup-qualifiers/"></div>


<h2>Gomez questions anti-doping standards</h2>



In the same interview, Alejandro Gomez shared his views on how anti-doping is regulated in professional soccer. In particular, he criticized what he sees as inconsistencies in how cases are judged and punished.



“You take cocaine or smoke marijuana and they give you a six-month ban,” said Papu. “I had to serve two years for drinking my son’s cough syrup. Who can make sense of that?”



<h2>Gomez reflects on soccer and life after the ban</h2>



With the benefit of time and perspective, Alejandro Gomez reflected on both his professional journey and what still lies ahead. “I don’t want to live off memories. I can’t come home and watch a goal I scored five years ago. What’s the point? The most important thing is the present,” he said.



Papu also admitted he was disappointed by the way people close to him behaved after his suspension. “When things are going well, everyone’s around. When they’re not, no one is,” said the midfielder. “There’s all kinds of people, but I was surprised by how many just disappeared.”



Gomez’s suspension will officially end in October, clearing the way for his debut with Padova in Serie B. Now 37, he’s aiming to return to top form and close out a successful career on his own terms—even if his golden days with Argentina and Sevilla are already behind him.

World Cup winner with Messi’s Argentina makes raw admission after doping ban: ‘Soccer had died for me’

World Cup winner with Messi's Argentina makes raw admission after doping ban: ‘Soccer had died for me’ - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Alejandro Gomez. Find out about all the news related to Alejandro Gomez on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Alejandro Gomez"

News

Argentina World Cup champion fires jab at Spain over Lionel Messi and other stars who chose the Albiceleste

News

World Cup winner with Messi’s Argentina ends two-year doping ban with return to Italian soccer

News

World Cup winner with Messi’s Argentina makes raw admission after doping ban: ‘Soccer had died for me’