Inter Miami has officially signed midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid, as confirmed by the Spanish club on Friday. The 31-year-old Argentine international will be reunited with his teammate and close friend Lionel Messi, who is currently engaged in contract renewal talks with the club.
De Paul has been on Miami’s radar for some time, with interest spiking following Atlético Madrid’s early exit from the Club World Cup last month. The Atlético Madrid statement confirmed, “Rodrigo de Paul is leaving Athletico Madrid and will continue his professional career at Inter Miami.”
While specific contract terms were not disclosed, the transfer raises questions about the long-term future of Sergio Busquets at Miami due to Major League Soccer’s restrictions on high-paying players. De Paul’s signing brings Miami up to four designated players, which could necessitate changes in their current roster to comply with league regulations.
Sources indicate that De Paul will move to Inter Miami on a free loan and has agreed to defer some of his salary from Atlético to facilitate the transfer. Currently, Miami is absorbing as much of De Paul’s compensation as possible to designate him as a “max TAM” player, meaning his cap hit is limited to $1,743,750 annually. With the remainder of the calendar year, this means his maximum salary for 2025 will be around $750,000. Inter Miami also has the option to buy De Paul outright in January for a transfer fee, at which point he would become a designated player, likely affecting Busquets’ position.
De Paul has signed a four-year deal, which implies a strong intention from Miami to secure him long-term if they opt to trigger that purchase in January. There are several connections between Inter Miami and Atlético Madrid’s ownership, with assurances given to MLS that there are no outside agreements involved.
Having played a significant role at Atlético Madrid since joining in 2021, De Paul helped lead Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup and was pivotal in their Copa América wins. He has a commendable record of 14 goals and 26 assists in 187 appearances for Atlético, demonstrating his impact and skill on the field.
This strategic move not only reinforces Inter Miami’s ambitions but also heightens interest in the growing competitiveness of MLS in attracting top football talents. De Paul’s arrival is expected to enhance Miami’s midfield strength, potentially aligning more effectively with Messi’s playstyle. As the league continues to evolve, deals like this one show a promising future for clubs looking to invest in high-caliber talent.