Several long-time teammates have recently followed Lionel Messi’s call to the US. Now Inter Miami has signed the Argentine’s next buddy.
Whether it’s Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez or even head coach Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi has not been short of trusted teammates and friends at Inter Miami. The 38-year-old will certainly have been delighted to hear that Rodrigo de Paul officially joined the Fort Lauderdale-based MLS team on Friday evening.
Messi and de Paul have already played 62 international matches for the Argentine national team, with the latter earning himself the joking nickname of “bodyguard” to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner over the years. Whether off the pitch, in training or in huddles on the field, de Paul always seemed to be where Messi was. From now on, he will also be able to support his buddy in the MLS.
Four years at Atletico
After four years with Atlético Madrid, the 31-year-old is leaving the Spanish capital club, for whom he made a total of 187 competitive appearances. The 2022 World Cup winner scored 14 goals and provided 26 assists during his time in Madrid, which began in 2021 after his departure from Udinese Calcio.
A year before his contract with Atletico expires, the 78-time Argentine international is now moving to the US state of Florida, where several of his compatriots are already playing alongside Messi and coach Mascherano. De Paul is likely to quickly claim his place alongside Messi.
