Argentine football star Rodrigo De Paul has made headlines with his significant decision to leave La Liga giants Atletico Madrid for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS), a move profoundly shaped by the towering influence of David Beckham and the irresistible prospect of joining Lionel Messi.
De Paul’s transition to the Herons is structured as a loan deal from Atletico Madrid, extending through the current season with a substantial option for a permanent transfer post-2025, valued at up to $17.5 million. If this option is activated, the midfielder would commit to a lucrative four-year contract, earning an impressive $12 million annually, underscoring the financial commitment Inter Miami has made to secure his services.
This career choice by a top midfielder, still very much in his prime, to swap the intensity of La Liga for the burgeoning MLS is widely regarded as a bold and pioneering step. In doing so, De Paul consciously walks a path remarkably similar to that forged by his new employer, David Beckham, who also made a high-profile move to the American league at a pivotal point in his career.
Beyond the managerial influence, De Paul has been entrusted with Inter Miami’s iconic No. 7 jersey, a number indelibly linked to Beckham’s illustrious and trophy-laden playing career. This symbolic gesture deepens the narrative of Beckham’s direct influence, as De Paul himself acknowledged the club’s request stemming from his personal connection to the number and his international selection.
De Paul’s long-standing admiration for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend is well-documented. He has openly expressed his respect for Beckham as a player who defined an era, noting their shared midfield position and welcoming any stylistic comparisons, highlighting a genuine connection beyond the professional.
The admiration is clearly reciprocated, with David Beckham publicly praising De Paul upon his arrival in Florida. Beckham lauded the Argentine as a player he has followed and admired for many years, specifically highlighting his exceptional leadership qualities and invaluable contributions to both club and national teams, particularly with Argentina.
Beckham further emphasized the experience, passion, and quality De Paul brings to Inter Miami and the city, expressing excitement about welcoming yet another World Cup-winning football star to the club and, by extension, to the wider MLS landscape, reinforcing the league’s growing appeal.
De Paul is not the first, nor likely the last, of Lionel Messi’s former teammates to join Inter Miami since the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s transformative arrival in 2023. This growing cohort, which includes familiar names like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, illustrates a clear pattern of top talent gravitating towards the Herons, largely driven by the allure of playing alongside Messi.
With his debut successfully completed, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 Leagues Cup victory against Atlas, De Paul is now fully integrated. All attention now turns to upcoming fixtures, including a challenging home game against Necaxa, before Inter Miami hosts Pumas UNAM, as the club continues its quest for success in the MLS.
