Rodrigo De Paul confirmed that before joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, he spoke with Argentina’s national team coach Lionel Scaloni, who gave his full support for the loan move from Atletico Madrid. The midfielder sought reassurance from Scaloni to ensure his place in the national squad would remain secure as long as he played regularly and stayed fit.
Scaloni’s Encouragement Was Crucial for De Paul’s Transfer Decision
At a press conference held on August 1, De Paul explained that maintaining a key role in Argentina’s national setup was a priority for him. He made it clear to Scaloni what was needed for him to continue contributing to the national team and received encouraging words in return. He shared,
“I spoke with Scaloni and I was very clear with him about what he needed from me in order for me to continue being part of the Argentina national team project.”
“He told me: ‘I know what you can give me on the field, I know who you are. The only thing I’m going to evaluate is what you do on the pitch. As long as you play and are physically fit…’ Those were the words I needed to make my decision.”
Following this conversation, De Paul secured an initial loan move to Inter Miami, with the MLS club holding an option to purchase him permanently for €15 million after the season ends.
Messi’s Influence Helped Bring De Paul to Inter Miami
Rodrigo De Paul acknowledged that Lionel Messi played a significant role in facilitating his transfer. The Argentine superstar was actively involved in discussions, with the shared dream of playing together at a club level motivating the move. De Paul revealed,
“Every time I talked with Messi, we had the dream of playing together, of bringing what we achieved with the Argentine national team to a club. And, well, that dream started to take some shape when it became known that I had one year left on my contract with Atlético de Madrid.”
“When it started to look like it could become a reality, we began to talk and it started to gain momentum. But at the heart of it all was always the dream of sharing a club with Leo and being together every day, sharing the pitch and the locker room. He had the greatness to get involved in the negotiation.”
De Paul made his debut for Inter Miami in their Leagues Cup victory against Atlas on July 30, where Messi played a decisive role by delivering both assists in the 2-1 win.
The Broader Significance of De Paul’s Move to Inter Miami
This transfer highlights Inter Miami’s ambition to strengthen their squad by reuniting key Argentine talents, potentially boosting the club’s competitiveness and appeal. De Paul’s presence alongside Messi in MLS could enhance their performances on the domestic and international stage, while also keeping the midfielder’s national team prospects alive under Scaloni’s guidance. The season ahead will be crucial in determining whether Inter Miami exercises their purchase option and how De Paul adapts to American soccer.