By Silvina Fuentes & Cristhian Gassmann

Rodrigo De Paul

Put on the pink

Put on the pink

A man with a beard wearing a white shirt and black pants waves to the crowd at a football stadium. Fans in the stands wear pink and black, and banners are visible. The scoreboard shows a score of 0-0 between Miami and Cincinnati.
A man with short dark hair and a beard, crossing his arms, standing in front of a wall with the Miami FC logo. He is wearing a black Adidas hoodie with pink stripes and the Miami FC emblem.
Group of five people on a soccer field, holding up a pink soccer jersey with the name 'De Paul' and number '7'. The group includes a man in a suit, a man in a white shirt, a man in a blazer, and two children in pink soccer jerseys. The stadium is full of spectators.

The summer heat in Florida was even stronger, but it wasn't because of the weather: it was because of Rodrigo De Paul's official arrival at Inter Miami CF. In front of a stadium packed with fans and cameras, the "Little Engine" of the Argentine National Team was introduced as the new star of the pink team, accompanied by his family and the always radiant Tini Stoessel, who didn't stop smiling throughout the event.

Tini Stoessel's presence did not go unnoticed. The singer, a Latin pop icon, was close to the fans, signed autographs, and accompanied De Paul on a tour of the facilities. Her image alongside Rodrigo also strengthens Inter Miami's brand in the Hispanic and youth market. This isn't just a sports transfer: it's a cultural alliance.

After the impact of his debut, it was time to show his worth on the pitch. De Paul made his Leagues Cup debut against Atlas and completed the 90 minutes with a solid performance: 93% pass accuracy, eight recoveries, and three chances created. Since then, he has appeared in both MLS and Leagues Cup matches, adding one goal and four assists in his first matches, confirming that his adaptation to North American football was immediate.

The deal that brought the midfielder from Atlético Madrid was worth around $35 million, making it one of the most expensive signings in MLS history. A contract until 2028 with an option for a further year, which includes variables based on performance and team titles, marked the beginning of a new phase in the Argentine's career.

In the midfield, De Paul received a standing ovation as he donned the pink number 7 jersey for the first time. “I'm here to give everything for this club, like I always have. I'm happy to be here, close to great friends and in a city that breathes football and Latin culture,” he declared, visibly moved. Beside him, Lionel Messi, whom he considers “an older brother,” hugged him and joked: “Now we're going to run together in every game, not just for the national team.”

A smiling man with short dark hair and beard, wearing a black denim jacket, sitting at a wooden table, holding a pen over a document, with a glass of water nearby and a window with a logo in the background.
A man and two children in pink soccer jerseys on a soccer field at Chase Stadium. The man is kneeling with both children, smiling, with a large welcome sign for Rodrigo De Paul in the background.

The midfielder is already making key appearances in the 2025 season: in MLS, he's starting and coming off the bench, with three assists in just a few games, while in the Leagues Cup, he's contributed one goal and two assists in three appearances. His ability to recover, create, and link up with Messi has given Inter Miami a renewed engine in midfield.

Rodrigo De Paul is no longer just Inter Miami's "new signing," but a key player for the team. His arrival represents much more than a transfer move: he's a symbol of MLS's growth, the club's ambition, and Miami's cultural connection to world football. With the number 7 on his back and the support of his fans, the "Little Engine" has already set Miami in motion for a season that promises to be unforgettable.

A man standing inside a building holding a pink soccer jersey with the name 'DE PAUL' and the number 7. The building has large glass doors and a sign above with the text 'FIER MIAMI.'
A man with tattoos on his arms, wearing a white tank top, gold necklaces, a backward cap, and earrings, stands outside in front of a modern building with glass windows and clouds reflected in the background.
A man with tattoos, wearing a white tank top, dark baggy pants, and a navy cap, walking on the tarmac holding hands with two children, a girl and a boy, in black Adidas tracksuits, near an airplane.
Two men hugging, one with tattoos, wearing a navy baseball cap backward, a cross earring, and a chain; the other with short dark hair, wearing a pink shirt. They are at an airport with a sign that reads 'MIAMI' in the background.
Four male soccer players on a field laughing and talking, one in a black uniform and the others in pink training shirts.
Two soccer players wearing pink jerseys embracing on the field, one with visible tattoos on their arms.
A male soccer player in a pink uniform standing on a soccer field, with hands on hips, during training or practice.
A male soccer player in a pink uniform standing on a soccer field, with a crowd in the background, preparing to kick a soccer ball.
A male soccer player with tattoos on his arms and neck, wearing a pink jersey with black stripes on the shoulders, smiling and waving.
A male soccer player with tattoos on his arms and legs, wearing a pink jersey and pink shorts, standing on a soccer field while controlling a soccer ball with his foot.
A male soccer player with tattoos, wearing a pink uniform with black and white accents, standing on the field with his hands on his hips, looking forward.
A man in a white shirt holding up a pink soccer jersey with the name 'De Paul' and the number 7 on it, standing in front of a backdrop with various sponsor logos.
A tattooed man in a pink sports jersey and black shorts walking on a grassy field during daytime, with trees and a yellow training dummy in the background.
A man with tattoos sitting at a press conference table, smiling, with a black backdrop featuring various sponsor logos, including AT&T, Carnival, Coors Light, GEICO, Gillette Labs, Walmart, Adidas, and Strauss, at the Leagues Cup 2025 event.
Logo of Inter Miami CF featuring a pink and black design with a shield, sun, and the words 'MIAMI' and 'CLUB INTERNACIONAL DE FUTBOL'.
Riders X Miami Motorsports logo with red, black, and white colors featuring a motorcycle and race car icons.