'Needed To Hear Those Words...': De Paul Opens Up Messi's Advice Following Miami Switch
Inter Miami new recruit, Rodrigo De Paul, expressed his delight to be able to share the locker room with national side skipper Lionel Messi on the club level too, following his move to the MLS from La Liga side Atletico Madrid.
De Paul revealed that he had always enjoyed playing alongside the eight time Ballon d'Or winner in national colours, and added that playing for the same club would permit the duo, who played a crucial role in Albiceleste's third World Cup title, to spend more time together.
'Every time we would meet in the national team, the day-to-day was amazing, but at the end of the day, it ended up being quite short," De Paul reflected.
'I also wanted to feel that sensation of playing alongside the best," he added.
The Herons secured the 31-year-old on loan before the deal becomes permanent in 2026, with the transfer reportedly around £15 million.
De Paul started his career at Racing Club before moving to Valencia in 2014. The midfielder joined Udinese in 2016, then moved back to La Liga with Atletico Madrid in 2021.
De Paul had a couple of offers from European outfits ahead of his move to American shores, but the Argentine opted to play alongside Messi and expressed his interest in learning about the new territory he picked out.
De Paul, widely recognised for his role as a defensive midfielder, joins the support team Miami has built around their superstar Messi. He follows in the footsteps of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, joining the legendary player from Rosario in the United States after Messi's move last year.
'He told me, 'I know what you can give me on the field. I know who you are,'" De Paul revealed what his compatriot told him following his move to the Florida-based club.
''I'm only going to evaluate what you do on the field. As long as you play and you're feeling well, I know the class of player that you are.' I needed to hear those words," he averred.
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August 02, 2025, 10:12 IST
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