Inter Miami has surprisingly strengthened its squad with the acquisition of Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul this summer, reuniting him with Lionel Messi on the field. De Paul, who joins on loan from La Liga`s Atletico Madrid, is expected to form a formidable midfield partnership with Sergio Busquets. This significant addition immediately positions Inter Miami as a top contender for the MLS Cup, especially with Messi already dominating the league with 18 goals and seven assists and being a leading candidate for the Most Valuable Player award. The arrival of a prime-aged, skilled midfielder like De Paul is seen as the final piece to elevate the team`s performance.
De Paul will integrate into a midfield already featuring Busquets and Telasaco Segovia. Upfront, the attacking trio of Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Messi is poised to reach new levels of offensive prowess. While the deal required intricate financial strategies, Inter Miami has ensured the roster complies with MLS regulations. This aggressive approach to team building, pushing the boundaries of roster construction, highlights the challenges of attracting elite players within the league`s existing constraints and can be seen as a positive for MLS by demonstrating creative solutions.
How Miami Registered De Paul
Since Inter Miami`s Designated Player (DP) slots were already filled by Messi, Busquets, and Jordi Alba, and given De Paul`s salary expectations, they couldn`t immediately sign him as a DP. Instead, reports indicate De Paul has joined on loan as a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) player, with an option to purchase him for approximately $17 million before next season. This option is crucial; an obligation to buy would have necessitated his immediate DP classification. By structuring the deal this way, De Paul`s designation can differ between the current and upcoming seasons. Future adjustments, such as a potential retirement or salary change for Alba or Busquets, could facilitate his transition to a DP next season.
Although there might be an informal agreement to activate the purchase option in the next season, Miami currently adheres to all roster rules through clever technicalities. To finalize De Paul`s inclusion, Inter Miami executed a trade with Atlanta United, acquiring an international roster slot for the remainder of the season by sending $225,000 in General Allocation Money and Leonardo Alphonso. This strategic move ensures De Paul`s availability for the upcoming Leagues Cup, a tournament Miami famously won in 2023 with Messi`s arrival, marking their first club trophy. High expectations persist for this year`s competition, which begins for Miami on Wednesday against Atlas, potentially featuring De Paul`s debut.
A True Game-Changer on the Pitch
De Paul`s acquisition is a significant coup for Inter Miami. While it subtly indicates that Federico Redondo`s role in strengthening the midfield alongside Busquets didn`t fully materialize as hoped, securing a long-time Argentina teammate of Messi is an undeniable upgrade. Unlike many high-profile European players who join MLS later in their careers, such as Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, or Andrea Pirlo, De Paul is currently 31. Despite his extensive professional minutes, he is expected to contribute substantially to the MLS given his age and current form.
This dynamic addition will enable Busquets to operate in a deeper midfield role, offering enhanced defensive protection. Inter Miami`s recent defensive record shows only one clean sheet in their last six games, despite winning four. Losing any points in their pursuit of FC Cincinnati, the Columbus Crew, and the Philadelphia Union could jeopardize their playoff seeding. De Paul`s versatility extends beyond just defensive midfield duties; he is also adept at linking play and striking from long range, evidenced by his consistent record of at least eight goals and assists per season for Atleti over the past three years. While any top European club would covet De Paul, Inter Miami`s unique advantage of having Lionel Messi on the roster was pivotal in securing his services.
While Lionel Messi is widely anticipated to be recognized as the greatest overall signing in MLS history, Rodrigo De Paul possesses the qualities to be considered the league`s finest pure midfielder acquisition. Given his age and talent level, De Paul is poised for a potentially longer and more impactful tenure in MLS, influencing both offensive and defensive aspects of the game as Inter Miami pursues domestic and international honors.
How to Watch Inter Miami vs. Atlas, Odds
- Date & Time: Wednesday, July 30, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Streaming: Available on MLS Season Pass
- Betting Odds: Inter Miami -239; Draw +375; Atlas +550
