Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in.u. – Another close friend of Lionel Messi will play soon in South Florida.
The Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has agreed to the terms of the contract wiht Inter Miami,a person aware of the negotiations told The Associated Press.
De Paul, 31, will leave the ranks of Atlético de Madrid, where he has played since 2021, to join Major league Soccer through a short-term contract with Inter Miami that could perhaps be extended to several more years. The Argentine had one year left at atlético de Madrid.
ESPN was the first outlet to report on the agreement.
De Paul and Messi, his partner in the Argentine National Team, hope to help Inter Miami continue to reach historical heights.
Messi arrived at the team in 2023.
The Herons reached the direct elimination phase in the Club world Cup and have won their last five MLS games as they seek to win the Supporters’ Shield for the second year, which is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular campaign.
De Paul could join Inter Miami in time for the start of the Leagues Cup at the end of this month, although his exact arrival date is uncertain, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the signing has not been announced.
The agreement, which has been in process for several weeks, occurs while negotiations between Messi and Inter Miami on a contract extension continue.
The current star agreement, a nine-time winner of the Golden Ball, expires at the end of December, and he is expected to return to the club for at least another season.
The signing of De Paul incorporates another veteran teammate with whom Messi already has chemistry, along with Sergio Busquets, 37, Luis Suárez, 38, and Jordi Alba, 36.
Messi, Busquets, and Alba are Miami’s three designated players with salaries higher then the league maximum. Alba has already signed a contract extension to remain with Inter Miami until the 2027 season. Busquets has not yet renewed his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
If Busquets does not return, that could free up a spot for De Paul to eventually become one of the three designated players in Miami.
de Paul has been a key player for Atlético de Madrid since he joined the Spanish club from Udinese of Italy in 2021. He helped Argentina win the World Cup in 2022 and was part of the victories in the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
Messi and Inter Miami are coming off a historic season.
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami in 2023 marked a significant moment for the league, drawing global attention and boosting attendance and viewership. The signing of fellow Argentine internationals and former teammates, such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and now Rodrigo de Paul, is a strategic move by Inter Miami to build a team with established chemistry and experience, aiming to replicate the success they achieved together at Barcelona and with the Argentine national team.
Rodrigo de Paul,a dynamic midfielder known for his work rate and playmaking ability,has been a crucial player for both Atlético de Madrid and the Argentine national team. His transfer to Inter Miami signifies a continued trend of high-profile South american players joining Major League Soccer, further enhancing the league’s competitiveness and global appeal.
Q: Who is Rodrigo de Paul?
A: Rodrigo de Paul is a 31-year-old Argentine midfielder who has played for Atlético de Madrid as 2021.
Q: What is Rodrigo de Paul’s connection to Lionel Messi?
A: De Paul and Messi are teammates on the Argentine National Team and have a close friendship.
Q: Which team will Rodrigo de Paul join?
A: He has agreed to terms with Inter Miami.
Q: What is the significance of this signing for Inter Miami?
A: The signing brings another experienced player with strong chemistry with Lionel Messi to the team, aiming to improve their performance and competitiveness in MLS and other tournaments.
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