“A special player, someone who has this power to glue players around him”. Nuno Espírito Santo is full of praise for Nicolás Domínguez, a player who has remained an important member of the squad since his arrival from Bologna last summer.
The Argentinian has played an integral role in what has been a strong start to the season and taking it all the way back to the beginning, the midfielder spoke to us about the journey he’s been on to get to Trentside.
As we go through the years, Nico smiles as we reel off the first notable date: 28th June 1998. Born in Buenos Aires, football rapidly became a key part of his life.
“My first football memory is from when I was three years old, I joined a local club really early. The first clear memory though, is when I was six, joining the academy at Velez Sarsfield. I stayed there throughout my childhood and went on to turn pro there.
“Growing up I admired a lot of different players, but a couple who I really enjoyed watching once I was a bit older were Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Add to them an Argentinean Fernando Gago, who was also a team-mate of mine."
Admiring technically gifted players, particularly those of a similar physical stature to himself, it’s clear the type of player Nico modelled his game on. His capacity to adapt has been a feature of his time at Forest, something Nuno points out as a real strength:
“He’s been great and has always been very involved in what we are trying to do. He’s a versatile midfielder that can play in different positions, out wide and in the middle. He is competitive and he makes things happen.”
Nico’s versatility has helped him throughout his career, and his preparedness to play anywhere is something that has supported his development.
“I have always played in different positions. When I started out playing, I was quite small for my age and for the first few years I was starting out as a number 8. But more of an old-style 8, playing further out wide, almost down the sides.
“Then I went through a period of playing as a striker until a bit later in my career, when I moved into midfield. But then, after I’d broken into the first team, I sometimes even played at right full-back.
“For me it’s about trying to help the team. But yes, I’ve generally got my preferred position where I like playing the most but I’m happy to adapt and fit into whatever role is given to me.”
The message and sentiment throughout the first team is that staying present and working hard is the key ingredient for building on the strong start. This fits in neatly with Nico’s self-assessment of his best attributes.
“I think my best strengths are my passing and my level of fitness. My engine means I never tire of running and I can give everything out there on the pitch.”
Moving through the years, the next date of note is 10th March 2017. Unsurprisingly an unforgettable date for Nico and his family.
“My first game in the First Division. The result was 3-2, against Estudiantes, and I got my first assist!”
Despite only being 18, making the step into the first team environment wasn’t something that caught him by surprise.
“I had been involved in the whole pre-season, all with the first team. I had played in one or two of the friendlies, and then I was picked for the first game of the league season. It was still a proud moment for me and my family to find out I was in the team, which was the day before.”
The next date of note was three months later: 3rd June 2017. A momentous day, but it’s not until he is reminded of the 3-0 scoreline and the opponent that the penny drops.
“My first goal!”
Nico’s English continues to improve, and he switches from Spanish to practice, talking us through the goal.
Nico says “so, so.” answering whether it was a good finish. “I received the ball at the edge of the area. Took one touch, shot, it took a deflection, and thankfully it went in!”
After signing for Bologna in August 2019, Domínguez was loaned back to Velez Sarsfield to continue his development. The months that followed will live long in the memory.
Speaking about the 6th September 2019, Nico recalls his international debut.
“Absolutely incredible. It’s a dream of every player to represent their country, and in some sense, this is even stronger in Argentina because of the history of the team and how important it is for Argentinians.”
It didn’t take Nico long to get his first goal, which came a month later, as he was on the scoresheet for the national team, in a 6-1 win against Ecuador.
Having finished his loan spell back home, the move to Europe was solidified in January 2020, and later that month Nico made his first start for Bologna. It was the first time he had left his homeland on a permanent basis, and it came with challenges; challenges that he embraced head on.
“I was OK because Argentina and Italy are very similar countries. Back in Argentina I had already been living just with my girlfriend, so when I went over there it wasn’t just my first experience of living away from my family.
“The language wasn’t really a problem either as I was soon speaking Italian within just a few months. So, off the pitch, it didn’t feel like there was too much change because the day-to-day lifestyles are very similar in both countries.
“On the pitch, there were more challenges, things I did find more difficult. Playing in a new league means different tactics and training methods, these were the hardest things for me to get used to initially.”
Having established himself in the Bologna team, the recognition on the international scale was continuing to develop. In 2021, Nico got his first taste of tournament success on the international stage, part of the Argentina squad that won the Copa America. In what was a hugely competitive squad, Nico made two appearances at the tournament, and although injury kept him out of the matchday squad for the final, the reflection is humble and positive.
“I was happy because I felt very much part of that squad. I believe that whether or not you’re playing, you’re still training hard and helping to improve everyone else. I accepted the fact that irrespective of whether I featured or not, I was really happy to be there, because for me, being chosen to represent my country is the best you can get at any level of the game.”
The 'team first' attitude, coupled with the work ethic and reliability on the pitch saw Nico go from regular starter to Club captain at Bologna.
Settled on and off the pitch, the Domínguez family gained a new member in September 2022, a huge moment, one Nico wanted to speak about in English.
“It changed my life. Before my daughter was born, everything was football. I was playing and training and it is my dream, so I was happy, but it was all football. It was a little bit complicated for me at this time because I had my own problems, but my daughter was born, and it changed my life in the best way.
“The big difference was that, all of sudden, everything I do, everything I work for, it had a new purpose.”
Another big change came almost exactly one year later, on the 1st September 2023, when Nico signed for Forest. Aware of the big step ahead of him, leaning on the support of his family helped him settle.
“I had plenty of people around me to help me. When I came here, it was just about to be my daughter’s first birthday, or around the time of it. After I got here, my mum and my mother-in-law came over to give us a hand. Then they were joined by my dad and my father-in-law. Having my family around me was great and the first few months then went well on the field as well as off it.”
Signing in the summer also helped, as it meant that the experience of the colder weather was at least delayed.
“The change didn’t affect me that much in terms of the food or the weather, but that did start to kick in a bit more as we approached the winter!”
Over a year on, Nico is continuing to establish himself within the Forest team. As he looks forward, his goals for the future are clear. While getting back into the fold for Argentina will always be a target, Nico’s focus on Forest gives him the belief that a call-up will be a byproduct of his domestic form.
“On a personal level, I want some of my stats to improve. Helping the team with more goals and assists than last season is definitely a target. I want to get as many minutes as possible and be an important part of the squad. If I put all of that together, then hopefully a call up to the national team will happen naturally, because of course this (playing international football) will always be a goal for me.
“Here at Forest, we want to stay present, keep working hard, and get as many points as we can.”