Rodrigo De Paul is one of Argentina's most important midfielders and now brings that same edge to Inter Miami CF. At 31, he is still valued for energy, pressing, ball progression, and leadership, and he remains one of the clearest examples of a player who can raise a team's intensity without losing control on the ball.
Rodrigo Javier De Paul is an Argentine midfielder who plays for Inter Miami CF and the Argentina national team. Born on 24 May 1994 in Sarandi, he is right-footed, experienced, and still central to Argentina's plans heading into 2026 after his permanent move to MLS.
Early Life and Background
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
De Paul was born in Sarandi, in Buenos Aires Province, and came through the youth ranks at Racing Club. That academy pathway shaped the aggressive and competitive side of his game early, because Racing has long been known for producing players who can handle pressure in senior football.
He was promoted to the first team after progressing through Racing's youth setup and made his professional debut in February 2013. Even at that stage, he already looked like a midfielder who wanted to be involved in every phase of play rather than stay in one narrow role.
His early football journey moved quickly. After establishing himself at Racing, he earned a move to Europe in 2014, but he also briefly returned to Racing on loan in 2016 before beginning the strongest phase of his development in Italy. That route gave him experience in different leagues, styles, and tactical systems before he reached his peak years.
Club Career
Early clubs and development
De Paul's club career began at Racing Club, where he made 72 appearances across two spells and added seven goals and seven assists. He was trusted young, and that helped him build the confidence to take on a move to Valencia in Spain.
His Valencia period was useful, but Udinese is where he really grew into a high-level European midfielder. Across five seasons in Italy, he made 184 appearances, scored 34 goals, and produced 37 assists. He also wore the captain's armband there, which says a lot about how much responsibility he took on.
Atletico Madrid signed him in 2021, and over four seasons he became an important part of Diego Simeone's midfield. By the time he left in July 2025, he had made 187 appearances, scored 14 goals, and delivered 26 assists for the club. His final Atletico phase was also his strongest, with recognition in the 2024-25 LaLiga Team of the Season.
Current club and recent form
Inter Miami first signed De Paul on loan in July 2025, with an option to make the move permanent through the 2029 MLS season. That permanent switch was completed in the club's year-end roster update, and he now holds a Designated Player spot alongside Lionel Messi.
His immediate impact in Miami was strong. Official club and league records show that he finished 2025 with 23 appearances across all competitions, two goals, and seven assists. He also started all six Inter Miami playoff matches and scored the title-clinching goal in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver.
He has carried that importance into 2026. Early-season match reports already show him contributing directly, including a goal in Inter Miami's win over D.C. United on 7 March 2026. That fits the wider picture: he is not in Miami to slow down, he is there to help the club chase more trophies.
Rodrigo De Paul - Stats and Performance
De Paul's value does not sit only in goals and assists. He is the type of midfielder whose numbers improve when the team plays well because he helps connect almost every phase of play. He carries the ball, breaks pressure, presses hard, and gives attacking players cleaner conditions around him.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (all competitions) | Inter Miami CF | 23 | 2 | 7 |
Those numbers from his first months in MLS show why he adjusted quickly. He was not used only as a runner or a destroyer. He was a high-touch midfielder who added end product and big-game presence, especially in the playoffs.
International Career
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
De Paul made his senior Argentina debut in 2018 and quickly became one of Lionel Scaloni's most trusted players. His international rise matched Argentina's best recent era, and he was one of the midfield leaders in the teams that won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America.
He is often described as one of Messi's closest on-field partners because of how much running, pressing, and covering he does around Argentina's biggest star. That reputation grew massively during the 2022 World Cup, where his energy and tactical discipline were central to Argentina's success.
Available late-2025 records list him on 83 international caps and 2 goals. Those numbers already place him among Argentina's most experienced active players, and they underline how important he remains in the squad going into the 2026 tournament year.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 83 | 2 | Copa America winner 2021 and 2024, Finalissima winner 2022, FIFA World Cup winner 2022, 2026 qualifiers |
If he stays fit, De Paul looks highly likely to remain a major part of Argentina's midfield structure in 2026. His experience, tactical work, and chemistry with the core of the squad make him difficult to replace.
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Position, role, and standout qualities
De Paul is a central midfielder, but his role is much more dynamic than that basic label suggests. He can play as a box-to-box runner, a pressing midfielder, a deep distributor, or a wider central option who helps overload one side of the pitch.
His biggest strengths are work rate, passing range, aggression in duels, and the ability to keep playing forward under pressure. Inter Miami called him El Motorcito because of his tireless running, and that nickname fits. He covers ground constantly and stays involved in both buildup and recovery.
He is also tactically valuable because he can shift with the match. If the team needs energy and pressing, he gives that. If the game slows down and requires control, he can help dictate rhythm and keep possession moving. That versatility is why coaches trust him in title races and tournament football.
Personal Info and Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rodrigo Javier De Paul |
| Date of birth | 24 May 1994 |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | Argentina |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Inter Miami CF |
| Jersey number | 7 |
| Weekly salary | $28,846 gross (estimated) |
| Estimated net worth | Will be updated soon |
Transfer News and Market Value
The big transfer update is already settled. De Paul joined Inter Miami from Atletico Madrid in July 2025 on an initial loan, and the move was later made permanent through 2029. That removed the short-term uncertainty around his future and made him part of Inter Miami's main long-term core.
His market value remains strong by MLS standards. Late-2025 valuation updates placed him around EUR15 million, which reflects both his level and the fact that he arrived from a top European club while still playing a major role for Argentina.
For 2026, the transfer story is less about another move and more about how important he can become in Miami's push for more silverware. With Messi, Suarez, and other senior names around him, De Paul looks built for exactly that environment.
Salary and Net Worth
Weekly wages, annual earnings, and estimated net worth
Current salary estimates place De Paul at about $28,846 gross per week at Inter Miami CF. That works out to an estimated base salary of $1.5 million for the 2026 season, with his contract running through 31 December 2029.
Those salary figures should still be treated as estimates rather than official club-published numbers. His current net worth will be updated soon.
FAQs
How old is Rodrigo De Paul and what is his nationality?
Rodrigo De Paul is 31 years old and he is Argentine.
Which club does Rodrigo De Paul play for now?
He plays for Inter Miami CF after making his move from Atletico Madrid permanent through 2029.
What position does Rodrigo De Paul play?
He plays as a central midfielder and can cover box-to-box, pressing, and buildup roles.
Has Rodrigo De Paul still got an important role with Argentina?
Yes. He remains one of Argentina's trusted midfield starters and was part of the teams that won the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.
What is Rodrigo De Paul salary and contract status?
Estimated salary records place him at about $28,846 gross per week at Inter Miami CF, with his current deal running until December 2029.
Conclusion
Rodrigo De Paul enters 2026 as one of the most proven midfielders in Argentina's squad and one of Inter Miami's biggest signings. He still brings elite energy, tactical value, and big-match experience.
For Inter Miami, he adds bite and balance to a star-heavy team. For Argentina, he remains one of the safest picks in midfield as the next World Cup gets closer.