Argentinian midfielder Rodrigo De Paul ended his time at Atlético de Madrid this Friday, the same day his loan signing with Inter Miami of the MLS was confirmed, where he will once again share the locker room with his great friend Lionel Messi.
The striking thing, unlike other friends of Messi who arrived at the club in southern Florida, such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, is that De Paul is fully active, he is 31 years old and this season played 50 matches for the “Colchonero” team.
Now it will be led by an old acquaintance, like Javier Mascherano.
How was Rodrigo De Paul presented in Miami?
“The Argentine international is closing his chapter as a rojiblanco after four seasons at our club. Rodrigo De Paul says goodbye to Atlético de Madrid and will continue his professional career at Inter Miami,” announced the Madrid team.
De Paul arrived at Atleti in the summer of 2021 from the Italian Udinese, and played 187 games in red and white, scoring 14 goals and providing 26 assists. The 31-year-old midfielder was an important player for coach Diego Pablo Simeone, but he did not find continuity in Atlético’s turbulent summer.
Inter Miami presented De Paul with a video where he sits in a car and accelerates, true to his nickname “Motorcito” (Thee Engine).
“The excitement that brought me to Inter Miami is to compete, to win titles, to write the pages of this club,” said the Argentine in an official statement from Inter. “It is a club that is being formed to be great,” he added.
David Beckham, one of the owners of Inter Miami, also commented that “Rodrigo is a player I have admired for many years. As a leader, he has contributed a lot to the teams he has played for, especially the Argentina national team. He brings experience, passion, and quality to our team and our city."
Rodrigo De Paul arrives on loan for six months but with a purchase option, with a contract that would allow him to stay in Miami until December 2029.