Atlético de Madrid made official this Friday the transfer of Rodrigo de Paul to Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team where his compatriot Lionel Messi plays.

The Argentine midfielder ends his tenure with the colchonero club after four seasons, during which he played 187 official matches, scored 14 goals, and provided 26 assists.

De Paul joined Atlético in 2021 from Udinese in Italy’s Serie A, in a deal valued at 36 million euros. His contract with the rojiblanco club was valid until 2026, but after weeks of rumors, his transfer to the Florida club has been confirmed.

With this signing, Inter Miami strengthens its squad with another world champion, aiming to establish itself as one of the leading teams in the MLS and take a step forward in its pursuit of domestic and international titles.

Three years of doubts, one of resurgence, and an early departure

The Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, world champion and Copa América winner with the Argentina national team, has concluded his time with Atlético de Madrid to join Inter Miami, where he will share the locker room with Lionel Messi, his friend and national team teammate.

De Paul leaves the colchonero club right after his best season since arriving in 2021, when the club paid 35 million euros to Udinese. In this last season, he played 53 official matches, starting 41 of them, with a record of 3 goals and 9 assists. His impact in the rojiblanco midfield was significant, becoming a key piece in Diego Simeone’s system.

Despite an inconsistent start during his first three seasons at the club, De Paul grew progressively, reaching his best form in the 2024/25 season. However, neither his recent growth nor Simeone’s explicit desire to keep him in the team were enough to prevent his departure. His contract was set to expire in 2026, but there were no signs of a renewal.

The transfer to Inter Miami marks a move away from European elite football to the Major League Soccer (MLS), a league that, while growing, is still considered less competitive compared to major European competitions. The opportunity to play alongside Messi and the appeal of the Miami project were decisive in his decision.

Rodrigo de Paul’s record at Atlético de Madrid (2021-2025)

• Matches played: 187
• Starts: 137
• Goals: 14
• Assists: 26
• Most notable season: 2024/25 (53 matches, 3 goals, 9 assists)

Over four seasons, De Paul showed flashes of his quality, though it was only in his final campaign that he fully met the expectations set for him after arriving as one of the club’s major investments.