Will Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul join Messi at Inter Miami? | OneFootball

Bringing Rodrigo de Paul to Inter Miami makes sense on and off the field

Rumors about Lionel Messi aren't a dime a dozen; in the click-bait driven world of global sports media, they're worth much, much more. Which generally is why I ignore them altogether until the bottom line is signed.

But I'm making an exception in the case of Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, a 31-year-old Argentine and teammate Lionel Messi with La Albiceleste. Why? Because it makes good sense for a variety of reasons; first, because Messi's contract expires in December and -- despite continuing rumors of the GOAT's potential departure for Saudi Arabia, or former clubs Barcelona or Newell's Old Boys, or a short-term loan to play at Napoli or elsewhere before next year's FIFA World Cup -- neither Inter Miami nor Major League Soccer can afford to let him leave.

Herons' managing owner Jorge Mas has given Messi everything he can under MLS' spartan salary regulations, and the league and several corporate partners have pitched in with tweaks to make Inter Miami's offer more appealing. But Messi's impact on soccer in the United States, and the MLS bottom line, may be beyond measure -- and could grow exponentially when the World Cup comes to North America.

Messi -- the hero of his country's World Cup 2022 championship -- is expected to represent Argentina in a record sixth Cup tournament next year. The icon's affiliation with Inter Miami will help the team and the league bask in his reflected glory. And, oh by the way, Inter Miami is expected to move into its new stadium in the $1 billion Miami Freedom Park complex next season; Mas wants Messi to be there in Pink & Black when it does.

Also, one of the conditions of Messi's agreement with Inter Miami and MLS is that he will receive part ownership of the club when he retires; while it isn't specified that he must retire a Heron, it likely would make the transition easier and completes a more positive narrative.

So, reason No. 1 to consider bringing de Paul to Miami: It makes good business sense to keep Messi happy. DePaul and Messi are countrymen, teammates, and friends, to the point that the physical de Paul is jokingly called Messi's "bodyguard" on the pitch.

Reason 2? De Paul would automatically become the best midfielder on the squad, with the possible exception of Busquets, 36, whose impact is declining with his age. The Herons' ownership has said from the beginning their ambition isn't only to be a good MLS team, it is to be among the very best clubs globally. Los Garzas' performance at the Club World Cup in June was an eye-opener for the Herons and MLS. By becoming the first Concacaf club to beat a European team in meaningful competition, by unexpectedly advancing from the group stage to the round of 16, and by predictably losing decisively to a far superior and exponentially greater-spending side -- European champions Paris Saint-Germain -- Inter Miami provided the clearest example yet of where MLS stands in the international picking order. Mas and his co-owners, brother Jose Mas and soccer legend David Beckham -- will consider the performance a baseline, and a challenge to improve their squad.

De Paul, still closer to his prime than his retirement, has 57 goals and 74 assists across 487 appearances in all competitions, including stints at Racing Club in Argentina (2012-14), Valencia (2014-16) and Atletico Madrid (2021-2024) in Spain and Udinese (2016-2021) in Italy. There's no question he would improve the Herons' midfield, even if his acquisition means the loss of Busquets (MLS teams are allowed three "designated player" slots whose salaries don't count against the $5.9 million salary cap; Inter Miami already has three: Messi, Jordi Alba and Busquets. Tom Bogert suggests that Busi would likely be the odd man out if the Herons' can sign De Paul.)

Would Inter Miami break up its Barca Boys "Big Four" to bring in De Paul? Maybe. I think they'd be more likely to sell or trade other assets and rework Busquets' deal; I think Busi would accept a lower salary in order to continue to be involved with the Messi project. Remember, MLS can be flexible when it wants a deal made, and considering the investment it's already made in Messi, I can't imagine they'd risk losing the Golden Goose over a few measly salary rules.