Rodrigo de Paul, the newest member of Inter Miami, shared with ESPN that Lionel Messi played a significant role in his negotiations with Atletico Madrid. This ensured that de Paul’s transition to the MLS club was successful, marking a dream reunion for the two Argentine stars.
“It was truly a joy,” De Paul stated in an exclusive interview. “He was heavily involved in the discussions and showed great enthusiasm about the situation. He was very attentive, and once everything was finalized, I received a call from him. When I arrived, Messi was there to greet me the next morning, eager to see what I needed.”
De Paul has signed a short-term loan deal with Inter Miami until the end of the year, which includes the option to make the move permanent with a four-year designated player contract. He explained that part of his motivation to join the Herons was the prospect of sharing a locker room with his fellow Argentine, Messi.
“Every time I spoke to Leo, I dreamed of playing together, like we did with the national team, and bringing that energy to the club. This was a dream that eventually took shape,” he said.
“Messi has a strong relationship with the owner of Madrid. As discussions progressed and it became more tangible, we talked about our ambition to share the pitch and locker room every day.”
When asked about his awareness of Inter Miami before making the move, de Paul remarked that he quickly recognized the team’s goal was to compete for trophies and achieve victory.
“Anyone who knows Leo understands that winning is always the aim, no matter where he plays. He has a relentless competitive spirit and strives to be the standout player on his team, whether it’s in club or international matches. I always knew he was a fierce competitor.”
“I was pleasantly surprised by the locker room atmosphere. It brought me a lot of joy. There are varying classes of players—some familiar and some new to me—but I was impressed by how committed everyone is to the club’s objectives. This club is on a remarkable upward trajectory.”
De Paul made his debut on Wednesday in Inter Miami’s first match against Atlas in the 2025 League Cup, where they secured a 2-1 victory thanks to a last-minute goal from Marcelo Way Gant.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it underscores the increasing appeal of MLS, especially with stars like Messi and de Paul uniting on the pitch. Their collaboration could elevate the league’s competitiveness and attract even more global attention to American soccer.
