Jesus Rodriguez (Como) follows Nico Paz on the list of young people
According to Sports.
Why this matters
Lionel Messi's choice of Jesus Rodriguez highlights the potential of young talent in football, especially at a time when Como makes its debut in the Champions League. Rodriguez's inclusion in Messi's list could increase his profile in the transfer market, attracting the attention of clubs looking to reinforce their teams with promise for the future.
Main conclusions
- Jesus Rodriguez (Como) follows Nico Paz on the list of young people.
- Messi highlighted Jesus Rodriguez (Como) in the latest list of young people to follow in 2026, relaunched by Adidas, joining him with names like Nico Paz and Kenan Yildiz.
- Como’s Jesus Rodriguez follows Nico Paz onto Messi’s list of future stars - Yahoo Sports.
Lionel Messi once again pointed the way to the future, choosing Como winger Jesus Rodriguez as one of the 10 young people to watch in 2026. The selection appears in the most recent edition of Adidas' "Backed by Messi" campaign, a project launched in 2015 and relaunched two years ago, which highlights promises with the potential to mark the next big showcase in world football. According to the daily Marca, the Spaniard is part of the Argentine captain's chosen group this season.
Rodriguez, who arrived at Como from Real Betis in the summer of 2025, in a transfer valued at more than 31 million dollars, has established himself under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas. The Lariani are going through a historic moment, with their debut in the Champions League this season, and the young winger's progress has been one of the points of interest in the Italian club's project.
With this distinction, Jesus Rodriguez follows in the footsteps of teammate Nico Paz, also named by Messi on last year's list, and Kenan Yildiz, Juventus striker, who was part of the 2024 choices alongside Lamine Yamal. Messi's curatorship for 2026 also includes, in the men's sector, Max Dowman (Arsenal, 16 years old), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace), Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tomás Aranda (Boca Juniors) and Gilberto Mora (Tijuana). In the women's category, the highlights are Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Giovanna Waksman (OL Lyon) and Lotta Wrede (Hamburg).
The "Backed by Messi" campaign has served as a talent radar, although not all bets have met initial expectations to the letter. The first list, in 2015, included names like Timo Werner and James Wilson, a reminder that the leap from potential to consecration requires time, competitive context and regularity.
For Jesus Rodriguez, Messi's seal of approval comes at a key moment in his career. In addition to the tactical and technical growth under Fàbregas, Como's European challenge puts the Spaniard under additional spotlight, at a time that could accelerate his affirmation at the highest level. As the calendar approaches the 2026 World Cup, in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the observation of these profiles gains importance: they are players looking to transform good indications into real impact when the lights of the World Cup come on.
Between confirmation and revelation, “Backed by Messi” once again functions as a trend thermometer. For now, the presence of Jesus Rodriguez on this list reinforces the idea that Como is one of the emerging centers of talent in recent European football — and that the Spanish winger is among the names to follow with particular attention towards 2026.
What happens next
With the Champions League season underway, Rodriguez is expected to continue to develop under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas, which could solidify his position as one of Europe's most promising young players. His performance could influence interest from clubs in leagues such as Serie A and the Premier League during the upcoming transfer summer.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jesus Rodriguez?
Jesus Rodriguez is a winger from Como, highlighted by Lionel Messi as one of the promising young players to watch until 2026.
Where did Jesus Rodriguez come from?
Jesus Rodriguez arrived at Como from Real Betis in the summer of 2025.
Why did Jesus Rodriguez choose Como?
Jesus Rodriguez stood out at Como under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas, and the club is experiencing a historic moment with its debut in the Champions League.
What was the value of Jesus Rodriguez's transfer?
Jesus Rodriguez's transfer to Como was valued at more than 31 million dollars.
When was Messi's choice for Jesus Rodriguez made official?
Messi's choice of Jesus Rodriguez was made official in the latest edition of the 'Backed by Messi' campaign, which highlights football promises.