Inter Miami CF have completed another landmark transfer, announcing the signing of Argentine international and World Cup-winning midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from La Liga powerhouse Atlético Madrid.
The MLS club confirmed the move late on Friday. De Paul, 31, arrives on an initial loan deal through the 2025 MLS season, with the club holding an option to make the transfer permanent on a contract that would run through 2029. He will not occupy a Designated Player spot on the roster.
The transfer sees De Paul reunite with his close friend and international captain, Lionel Messi, adding another key piece of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad to Inter Miami’s star-studded lineup.
“Assembling a team that inspires our fans to dream continues to be one of our primary aspirations, so we’re thrilled to sign a player of Rodrigo’s caliber,” said Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas. “He is a winner who has conquered the world stage; his ambitions match ours at Inter Miami, and we are hungry to achieve these goals together.”
Co-owner David Beckham echoed those sentiments, stating, “Rodrigo is a player I’ve admired for many years. As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for — especially with his national team Argentina. He brings experience, passion and quality to our team and to our city.”
De Paul has enjoyed a decorated career in Europe with spells at Valencia, Udinese, and most recently Atlético Madrid, accumulating nearly 500 professional appearances with 57 goals and 74 assists. He has been a vital component of Argentina’s recent success, winning the Copa America in both 2021 and 2024, in addition to the 2022 World Cup, where he was famously dubbed Messi’s “enforcer” for his tireless work rate and protection of his captain.
“What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club’s history,” De Paul said. “It’s a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team.”
De Paul joins a formidable squad that already includes his former international and club rivals, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, further cementing Inter Miami’s status as a global football destination.
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