FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug 02 (AP): Rodrigo De Paul has enjoyed years of playing alongside Lionel Messi for Argentina's national team, but the star midfielder said that for a long time, he's dreamed of playing on the same club with his good friend.
"Every time we would meet in the national team, the day-to-day was amazing," De Paul said through an interpreter, "but at the end of the day, it ended up being quite short. I also wanted to feel that sensation of playing alongside the best."
So when Messi joined Inter Miami of Major League Soccer in 2023, De Paul started paying attention. He caught MLS matches when he could - between his busy schedule with then-club Atletico Madrid - and admired what Messi, co-owner David Beckham and Inter Miami were building in South Florida.
Then Beckham approached De Paul with the idea of joining Inter Miami, and the 31-year-old made the choice to be a part of a league that intrigued him.
"It was spectacular to be able to play in Europe in the best leagues in the world," De Paul said Friday morning at an introductory news conference, one week after he officially signed with Inter Miami on loan. The loan will run through the end of the 2025 MLS season and includes an option to make the transfer permanent through the 2029 season.
De Paul, a World Cup champion with Messi and Argentina and a two-time Copa America winner, said he had a few offers to stay in Europe, but likes the challenge of a transition to MLS and knows a lot will be expected of him.
"I want to learn abut this league," De Paul said. "I want to be a part of this growth. ... I want to be part of (Inter Miami) and set a precedent so that players don't come here only for the end of their careers. We want players to feel like coming to this club is a commitment to the city and to the fans."
De Paul made his Inter Miami debut Wednesday in a 2-1 League's Cup win over Liga MX club Atlas.
