Inter Miami has finalized the permanent signing of Rodrigo De Paul, and the move says a lot about what the club envisions for the next few years. The Argentine midfielder, who arrived on loan from Atlético de Madrid in July, became a key piece in the campaign that ended with the 2025 MLS Cup title. After scoring the championship-winning goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps and adding 2 goals and 7 assists in 23 matches, he now takes one of the Designated Player spots alongside Lionel Messi. The decision ends any speculation and strengthens a roster that lost important names like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets and now needs to reorganize for 2026.
De Paul takes on a central role
De Paul has influenced Inter Miami from the moment he stepped on the field. During the playoffs, he started all six matches and showed the level of consistency that matters in knockout soccer. The club quickly realized it wasn’t just about technical quality but also competitive weight. He arrives with the reputation he built with Argentina’s national team, where he’s played 83 matches, won two Copa América titles and played a decisive part in the 2022 World Cup win. All that experience fits well in a squad that still revolves around Messi and needs players with awareness and personality.
His contract through 2029 reinforces that sense of continuity. Inter Miami knows 2026 brings bigger challenges, since the team will try to defend the MLS Cup while also competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup. De Paul’s presence adds structure to a demanding schedule. He’s already played nearly 500 professional matches for Racing, Valencia, Udinese and Atlético de Madrid, which makes him one of the most seasoned players on the roster. And honestly, he has the quality to play for any top European club.
The impact on Inter Miami’s project
The signing also solves an immediate problem. With Alba and Busquets retiring, the team lost two leaders who provided balance in key moments. De Paul doesn’t replace either of them directly, but he fills an important space in the locker room and on the field. He’s a driving force during games and, beyond his technical ability, he knows exactly how to operate next to Messi, something you don’t learn overnight.
The fee paid to Atlético de Madrid, 15 million euros according to Fabrizio Romano, shows how the club views its own ambition. It’s a move that points to a team thinking big and refusing to let the 2025 title be remembered as an exception. De Paul helps turn that victory into a starting point rather than a finishing line.