Rodrigo De Paul (31) has joined Inter Miami. The reunion with his World Cup champion teammate and the challenge for the League Cup and MLS titles come with a complex calculation hidden behind that involves insecurity in his position within the Argentina national team.
Spain's Marca reported on the 28th (Korean time) that "Inter Miami agreed to acquire De Paul on loan for the 2025 season through negotiations with Atlético Madrid." This contract is a one-year loan that does not guarantee a full transfer, and depending on the situation, a permanent transfer in 2026 may be pursued.
De Paul is a central midfielder who originally played as a winger, known for his vigorous activity, endurance, and solid physicality, as he roams the midfield to alleviate Lionel Messi's defensive burden. During his time at Udinese, he was considered one of the top midfielders in Serie A for his dribbling skills and breakthroughs, but his performance has fluctuated since transferring to Atlético. While his activity level and long-range shooting are strengths, his passing precision and vision leave something to be desired. The quality of his play varies significantly depending on his condition, and he tends to have many turnovers due to reckless penetrations and passes. He has a style more suited to a support role than to playmaking.
Immediately after the transfer announcement, both European and South American soccer circles were shaken. De Paul played 53 games last season, scoring 3 goals and providing 10 assists as a key midfielder under coach Diego Simeone, and he also played a leadership role in helping his junior Julian Alvarez adapt. Coach Simeone is reported to have strongly opposed the transfer, stating, "De Paul is the engine of our midfield."
As the contract expiration approaches in 2026, Atlético was forced to confront a realistic choice. Furthermore, Inter Miami completed this transfer in a quite creative manner to circumvent MLS's stringent salary regulations.
With Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba already occupying designated player slots, Inter Miami structured De Paul's contract as a loan. To secure international slots, they sent promising striker Leo Aponso to Atlanta United and successfully negotiated a contract within the salary cap.
Local reactions in Argentina are not favorable. With less than a year remaining until the 2026 North American World Cup, criticism has arisen that he has transferred to a "less competitive league." Argentine media suggested, "Has De Paul started preparing for retirement rather than competing for a place in the national team?" De Paul was still utilized under coach Lionel Scaloni, recording his 78th appearance in an A match not long ago.
De Paul's choice was clear. He stated, "This project will be a historic challenge," adding that "the decisive reason was being with Messi again." He has played 62 matches alongside Messi in the national team and has won four international tournaments, including the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Team owner David Beckham noted that "De Paul is a player with passion, leadership, and dignity," stating that he personally identified him as a target for acquisition.
Another owner of Inter Miami, Jorge Mas, boasted about the acquisition of De Paul, stating, "Now is an era where players in their prime come to MLS, not just at the end of their European careers." Mas asserted, "We are changing the trajectory of American soccer."
In fact, De Paul is in his early 30s and was a resource consistently receiving love calls from major European clubs. This transfer is less a 'last choice before retirement' and more a 'proving ground for his prime in a new stage.'
Of course, risks also exist. De Paul was unable to register for the League Cup group stage due to visa and international transfer certificate (ITC) issues. His debut is expected to be postponed until at least mid-August. Additionally, the depth of the attacking line may become a physical burden in the later part of the season as they have let go of young striker Aponso.
The transfer market continues to evolve. Once mocked as "a retirement league," MLS has now become a stage where Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul can design their careers together. Whether this challenge will be a choice that secures a World Cup ticket or lead to the opposite result is now up to De Paul.
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