Rodrigo De Paul could be making a move to Major League Soccer. The Atlético de Madrid midfielder has become a real target for Inter Miami, the club led by Lionel Messi, and conversations are already underway. According to Argentine journalist César Merlo, who's well known for breaking transfer stories, there's genuine interest on both sides and a shared desire to reach an agreement.
But there's one issue holding everything back right now: the money. The interest is mutual, the timing makes sense, and the chemistry is already there. But financially, the deal hasn't come together. And even though the talks are real, this is more than just a feel-good reunion between two friends from Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad.
This isn’t just a transfer, it's about trust
De Paul and Messi go way beyond being former teammates. Their connection during the 2022 World Cup was one of the emotional pillars of that Argentina team. On the field, De Paul handled the grind. He ran, defended, covered for Messi when needed, and made it look like second nature. Off the field, they were inseparable. Team hotels, trips, training camps, even social media, where Messi went, De Paul followed.
That kind of bond doesn’t fade after one tournament. It’s personal. It’s deep. And it’s exactly the kind of off-field chemistry Inter Miami has leaned into since Messi’s arrival.
Inter Miami feels more like home than a club
Messi isn’t building a team from scratch in Miami. He’s recreating an environment that feels familiar. Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba — all ex-Barcelona. Javier Mascherano is now coaching. The locker room looks more like a reunion than a rebuilding project.
If De Paul joins, he’s not walking into a project where he has to adapt. He’s stepping into a circle he already understands. He knows how these guys think, how they move, what they demand. That kind of comfort can fast-track performance.
And stylistically, De Paul fits a very real need. He’s not there to take the spotlight. He’s the glue between lines. He gives balance, tempo, intensity. He allows the stars to shine because he handles the dirty work they don’t need to worry about.
Atlético still holds the cards and MLS has its walls
De Paul is under contract with Atlético Madrid until 2026. He’s not being pushed out. He’s still part of Simeone’s rotation and brings experience and grit. So the Spanish club has no urgency to sell and will want a fair price if talks get serious.
On the Inter Miami side, the interest is clearly there. But interest isn’t enough. Major League Soccer has hard salary rules. There are only so many designated player slots, a limit on foreign players, and a cap on overall spending. Bringing in someone like De Paul would require movement, possibly releasing another player, reshuffling contracts, or working with the league to make the numbers work.