Rodrigo De Paul to Inter Miami? Messi’s Midfield Partner Linked with $17M MLS Transfer in 2025

July 7, 2025: The European summer transfer window is officially open, and the rumour mill is buzzing with potential big moves. One name that’s been making waves among Indian football fans and especially Inter Miami supporters is Argentina’s midfield engine — Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi’s Best Friend May Join Him in Miami

According to trusted Spanish journalists Marcos Benito and Marcos Duran, Inter Miami’s top bosses have already contacted Rodrigo De Paul about a possible transfer. Sources close to the club have confirmed that managing owner Jorge Mas is currently in Madrid, possibly to speed up negotiations.

Rodrigo De Paul, 31, has been a vital part of Atletico Madrid for the past five years and previously played for Udinese in Italy. He’s known for his stamina, pressing game, and strong defensive contribution — the classic box-to-box midfielder. But what makes this transfer even more interesting is his deep personal and on-field connection with Lionel Messi.

Why De Paul to Inter Miami Makes Sense

Messi and De Paul are not just teammates; they’re more like brothers in the Argentina national team setup. Just like how Messi connects on the pitch with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, De Paul has shown time and again that he complements Messi perfectly, often even acting as a protective presence in midfield.

Right now, both Suarez (38) and Busquets (turning 37 later this month) are nearing the end of their contracts at Inter Miami. If Busquets decides to hang up his boots or move on, De Paul could be the perfect replacement to take charge of the midfield and continue supporting Messi as Miami aims to lift the MLS Cup.

Transfer Fee & Contract Status

Atletico Madrid reportedly values De Paul at $17 million (approx ₹141 crore). While the club’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone wants to retain him, the player is under contract until 2026, meaning a transfer would require a significant fee unless Atletico agrees to negotiate.

Meanwhile, Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami ends in 2025, but he is already in talks to extend it till 2026 — the year when Miami Freedom Park, the club’s new stadium, is set to open. Interestingly, Messi’s contract also includes ownership equity in the club after he retires — something no other player in MLS has.

What’s Next for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami’s new coach Javier Mascherano has openly said he’s looking to bring in reinforcements to strengthen the squad, though he hasn’t named anyone specifically. With Messi pushing for more quality signings to help the team win trophies and create history in their new stadium, Rodrigo De Paul might just be the missing piece in that puzzle.

Let’s wait and watch — but if the stars align, fans in India and across the globe could soon be watching Messi and De Paul reunite on American soil.