Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed the availability of both stars during a press conference ahead of the Round of 16 second leg. “Leo and Rodrigo are in perfect condition, as is everyone except Maxi [Falcon],” Mascherano stated, noting that the defender is the squad’s only injury concern.

Following a scoreless draw in the first leg, Inter Miami face a high-stakes scenario at Chase Stadium. Due to the away goals rule, Nashville hold a tiebreaker advantage; any scored draw (such as 1–1 or 2–2) would result in Messi and Inter Miami being eliminated from the competition.

Mascherano explains Messi and De Paul’s absences

The absence of the Argentine duo was palpable, as the squad lacked the offensive spark typically provided by Messi and the high-intensity presence De Paul brings to the midfield.

According to Mascherano, the decision to rest both players was a preventative measure due to their heavy workload. Both stars have endured a grueling schedule, featuring in nine matches over just a six-week span.

“Clearly, Rodrigo and Leo did not travel; it was a decision we made together with them,” Mascherano explained during a press conference. “We were coming off a lot of travel and games on synthetic turf. We preferred for them to avoid the trip and rest. It was nine games in a month and a half”.

The return of these two players provide a significant boost to Inter Miami’s production. Messi is the team’s leading scorer this season, with three goals in three MLS appearances this season. Meanwhile, De Paul is a dual-threat in the midfield who, has recorded one goal in three league matches while providing vital defensive cover.

In an interview with Marca, the Argentine midfielder raised eyebrows by claiming, “I think it is more difficult to win MLS than the Champions League. You have to play all the time perfectly. It sounds crazy, but the MLS format is really difficult.”

It was ironic to some observers that De Paul made that claim, considering he never won a Champions League title during his time in Europe. MLS operates as a league format followed by playoffs, while the Champions League, despite recent structural changes, remains a continental cup competition. The contrast between formats makes the comparison complex.

De Paul arrived at Inter Miami last season in a transfer reportedly worth $15 million, signing a three-year contract to team up with Messi. Having won the MLS Cup title in 2025, the Herons start their title defense on Saturday, February 21, against Los Angeles FC.

MLS and a format that does not forgive

The Argentine midfielder focused on the competitive structure of MLS to defend his argument, highlighting a long and demanding regular season that rewards consistency, followed by single-elimination playoffs. Dominating the regular season guarantees nothing once the postseason begins. One mistake can send teams home.

De Paul, who has played in the UEFA Champions League but never lifted the trophy, argued that the European format, with a league phase and two-leg knockout rounds, offers more margin for error. Over two matches, teams can recover from a poor performance, something that is not always possible in the MLS playoffs.

He also pointed to logistical challenges in the United States, where travel distances are significantly longer, and weather conditions vary dramatically compared to Europe. In addition, the salary cap system in MLS is designed to promote parity among teams, unlike the financial imbalance often seen in European competitions.

De Paul’s best Champions League result

De Paul does not have a Champions League title to reinforce his argument. The furthest Rodrigo De Paul advanced in the UEFA Champions League was the quarterfinals, a stage he reached twice with Atletico Madrid during the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons.

In the 2023-24 edition, De Paul played a key role by scoring in the first leg of the quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund. However, Atletico Madrid were eliminated on aggregate, once again falling short of a semifinal appearance in Europe’s top club competition.

The Herons are showing strong interest in signing Giovani Lo Celso ahead of the next transfer window. According to journalist Gaston Edul, Inter Miami are monitoring the situation closely and are willing to submit a formal offer. At this stage, however, negotiations have not progressed and no proposal has reached Real Betis.

The Rosario-born midfielder started the current season as a regular contributor, although he has lost prominence in recent weeks. He has already appeared in 20 matches, scoring two goals and providing two assists, remaining a useful option within the Betis midfield rotation under Manuel Pellegrini.

Significant Argentine presence at Inter Miami

If the move goes through, Lo Celso would become the eighth Argentine on Inter Miami’s roster, joining Messi, Tadeo Allende, Mateo Silvetti, Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Lujan, Tomas Aviles, and Oscar Ustari. The Argentine core continues to shape the identity of the squad as the club prepares for the upcoming season.

It is also worth noting that the loan deals of Rocco Rios Novo, Baltasar Rodriguez, and Marcelo Weigandt have already ended. In addition, the Herons are exploring the possibility of adding Facundo Mura, who is also drawing interest from River Plate.

Lo Celso’s need for playing time

While talks remain quiet, a path forward could open quickly due to Lo Celso’s situation at Sevilla. At 29, after a strong 2024, his 2025 campaign is marked by inconsistency and muscular injuries that limit his continuity. He logged just 83 minutes across the last four matches, a scenario that could ease a potential exit.

Beyond sporting reasons, Betis are also looking to free up salary space to pursue a new striker, making Lo Celso’s sale a viable financial solution. For the midfielder, a move to the United States offers a clear incentive, as it would allow him to reunite daily with Messi and De Paul while regaining the competitive rhythm needed to stay on the radar of Lionel Scaloni ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Inter Miami are viewed as a destination that could provide immediate starts. The club sees Lo Celso as a potential replacement for Tadeo Allende, who is set to return to Celta de Vigo after his loan spell, and as part of a roster that continues to add depth. The Herons have already completed the signing of Sergio Reguilon and are close to securing Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, reinforcing a squad that shows no signs of slowing down.

Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported that Inter Miami will, indeed, pick up Rodrigo De Paul‘s purchase option that is worth around the $17 million mark. De Paul will now have one of the three DP spots on the roster, the other being Messi.

With Messi and De Paul as DPs, the team now has one DP spot open to go and sign another franchise player. This could open the chance for striker Luis Suarez to be back on the team. According to Inter Miami’s website, the team is in ongoing negotiations to bring the Uruguayan back.

Is De Paul worth the big money?

De Paul was an integral part of this team since his arrival from Atletico Madrid. De Paul is 31 years old, so he is still very much in his prime, albeit the latter parts of it. The Argentinian midfielder is an absolute tank, has cardio for days, great hustle, a very educated right foot, and he is the prototype of an elite box-to-box midfielder.

Not only that, but it’s well known that De Paul is one of Messi’s closest friends, so it helps both DPs are as close to one another as they can. Them being great friends is good for the locker room and the motivation of the team. Last but not least, Inter Miami’s manager is also Argentinian. Hence, for Javier Mascherano, it’s easier to communicate to De Paul as he is the heart and lungs of this team. All in all, it’s more than worth it.

De Paul and Messi know next season is really important

Next season is crucial for both players for so many reasons. First and foremost, they are the ones in charge to defend their MLS Cup title. Secondly, Inter Miami will play at the Concacaf Champions Cup, where the team is favored by many to win it all.

Thirdly, next year is a World Cup year, and Argentina will defend its title. The tournament is in the United States, something that plays in favor of Messi and De Paul as they will know the pitches very well. Then, both players being in great form will surely be a priority for the Argentinian side.

Inter Miami entered the 2025 MLS Cup final as clear favorites over Vancouver Whitecaps. Nevertheless, the game was not easy at all for Lionel Messi’s side… until the Argentine captain appeared.

Rodrigo De Paul‘s first goal with Inter Miami could not have arrived at a better moment. The 2022 World Cup champion said he wanted to win more titles alongside Messi, and he now contributed toward that goal.

Lionel Messi’s two assists in 2025 MLS Cup final give Inter Miami the title

In the second half, after Vancouver scored the equalizer, Inter Miami restored their lead with 20 minutes left in the game. Lionel Messi recovered the ball in the Whitecaps’ half and then assisted Rodrigo De Paul, who slipped behind his defender to become unmarked before firing a shot to make it 2-1 for the Herons.

However, it was not going to end like that. Near the final whistle, Jordi Alba played a long pass to Lionel Messi in midfield, who quickly assisted Tadeo Allende. The Argentine forward entered Vancouver’s box completely unmarked and scored the decisive 3-1 goal that sealed Inter Miami’s first MLS title.

MLS has fined Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul an undisclosed amount after ruling that he exaggerated contact on a foul by Andres Perea during the team’s win over New York City FC. The league’s disciplinary committee determined that De Paul violated its policy on simulation and embellishment.

“The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF midfielder Rodrigo De Paul for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 26th minute of Inter Miami’s match against New York City FC on September 24,” the league said in an official statement.

Alongside the statement, MLS released video of the incident showing the Argentine midfielder falling to the ground and holding his face after contact with Perea. However, replays made it clear that Perea was shielding the ball and his arm only brushed against De Paul’s.

What’s next for Inter Miami?

Despite the fine, Rodrigo De Paul will remain available for Inter Miami’s upcoming fixtures. Javier Mascherano’s side has already clinched a playoff spot with five regular-season matches still to play.

The Herons are in the middle of a demanding seven-game stretch, having won three of their first four in that run. Up next is a road trip to face Toronto FC, followed by back-to-back home matches against the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami will then close out the regular season with two final games: hosting Atlanta United on October 11 before traveling to Nashville on October 18.

De Paul comes in at 84, while LAFC’s new star Son Heung-min takes the second spot with an 85 rating. That makes the MLS top three Messi, Son, and De Paul, with a clear gap separating them from the rest of the league.

Beyond the top three, ratings are much closer. Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller, Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets, and LA Galaxy’s Riqui Puig all check in at 80 overall. Just below them, Luis Suarez, Marco Reus, Evander, Emil Forsberg, Carles Gil, Denis Bouanga, and Hany Mukhtar each hold a 79 rating.

Other notable players include Jordi Alba, Hirving Lozano, and Aleksei Miranchuk at 78 overall, while Wilfried Zaha, Hugo Lloris, and Roman Bürki have been downgraded to 77. EA Sports FC 26 is set to release on September 26, with several MLS stars seeing notable drops compared to recent editions.

What about Cristiano Ronaldo?

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo comes in with a slightly lower rating than Messi at 85 overall, but he is the highest-rated player in the Saudi Pro League. He shares that rating with notable stars like Iñigo Martinez, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante.

Looking at their history in the Ultimate Team mode, these are the lowest ratings both Messi and Ronaldo have received in the video game. When they were first added in the 2010 edition, Messi had a rating of 91, while Ronaldo was at 93.

When Messi joined Inter Miami, he had a rating of 90 in the 2024 edition, which gradually declined in subsequent releases to his current 86. Ronaldo, meanwhile, started with an 86 rating upon joining Al Nassr and sees his rating drop for the first time in this edition of the game.

According to Transfermarkt, the signings have dramatically boosted both clubs’ values. Inter Miami now sits at €82 million following De Paul’s arrival, while Felix’s move pushes Al Nassr’s total roster value to €174 million.

The Argentine midfielder arrived from Atletico Madrid and instantly became the most valuable player on the Herons’ roster. Transfermarkt currently lists De Paul at €25 million, placing him ahead of his teammate and compatriot Lionel Messi, who is valued at €18 million.

On the Saudi side, Felix made the switch from Chelsea and carries a market value of €20 million. While not the team’s most valuable player, he ranks third overall behind Mohamed Simakan (€23M) and new signing Kingsley Coman, who tops the list at €30M, per Transfermarkt.

Messi’s market value over time

Messi’s current valuation of €18 million marks his lowest since January 2006, when his price tag was €15 million as a teenage prospect at Barcelona. At the time, Messi was only 18 years old, beginning to show flashes of the brilliance that would soon define his career. By 2007, his value had soared to €40 million as he emerged as one of the game’s brightest young stars.

According to Transfermarkt, Messi reached his peak valuation in 2017 and 2018, when he was worth €180 million. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo winning the Ballon d’Or in 2017, Messi had a stunning campaign, scoring 54 goals in 52 games while winning both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. A year later, he collected his sixth Ballon d’Or and once again lifted the Spanish league and domestic cup.

Ronaldo’s market value over time

On the other side, Cristiano Ronaldo now holds the lowest valuation of his career at €12 million, per Transfermarkt. Still, that number makes him the most valuable player in the world over the age of 40.

Ronaldo’s market value hit its peak during his prime years at Real Madrid. From 2014 to 2015, at age 30, he was valued at €120 million — a figure he matched again in 2018 after lifting his final UEFA Champions League trophy with Los Blancos.

Since then, the numbers have steadily trended downward. His move to Juventus kept him hovering around $113 million, but by the time he left Turin to rejoin Manchester United in 2021 at age 36, his value had slipped to $40 million.

When Ronaldo made the switch to Al Nassr in early 2023, his valuation had dropped further to $17 million. The latest update in December 2024 saw another decline, setting his current market value at €12 million — the lowest point of his storied career.

According to ESPN, the club is in advanced talks with Juventus over winger Nicolas Gonzalez, another Argentine international. Reports suggest that discussions progressed last week, but the deal is still contingent on Atletico selling a player to balance their books.

Journalist Gaston Edul noted that negotiations remain ongoing. “Atletico de Madrid are negotiating for Nico Gonzalez. Talks advanced last week. The deal could go through if Atleti sell a player. They’re waiting on that. It’s important. There’s no contract agreement yet,” Edul said on his X account on August 21.

The 27-year-old Gonzalez, currently at Juventus, has emerged as Diego Simeone’s preferred option to strengthen the attack. Simeone is believed to want more width in his team following the departure of Samuel Lino to Flamengo, and Gonzalez is viewed as a strong candidate to fill that role.

ESPN also reports that Juventus may be willing to include Nahuel Molina, another Argentine international, as part of the operation. Both clubs are reportedly open to structuring the transfer fee in installments to finalize the move before the close of the market.

Atletico’s busy summer window

Atletico Madrid have already been one of the busiest clubs in Europe this summer, spending around 175 million euros on seven signings. New arrivals include Matteo Ruggeri, David Hancko, Marc Pubill, Alex Baena, Johnny Cardoso, Thiago Almada, and Giacomo Raspadori. Despite those reinforcements, Simeone appears intent on adding another wide player to his squad.

Gonzalez, who began his career at Argentinos Juniors, has a market value just under 30 million euros. His European experience spans both Germany and Italy, having previously played for Stuttgart, Fiorentina, and most recently Juventus.

While De Paul’s departure marks the end of an era for Atletico, Gonzalez’s arrival would ensure that Simeone still has a strong Argentine presence in the squad. For now, all eyes are on whether Atletico can free up the funds to complete the deal before the transfer window shuts.

Inter Miami had earned a dramatic win over Atlas in their opener and then prevailed in a penalty shootout against Necaxa. However, the Herons entered this decisive match without their leader, who was sidelined after suffering a minor muscle injury in his right leg.

To secure a spot in the quarterfinals, Mascherano’s team needed a win in regulation. Alternatively, a victory via penalties could also send them through, though that outcome would hinge on other results. A defeat, in any case, would eliminate them from the tournament.

After the Herons fell behind by one goal to the Mexican side, Luis Suarez sent a precise cross into the box, which De Paul controlled and converted to level the score just before halftime.

When could Messi return for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Pumas UNAM about the estimated recovery timeline for Lionel Messi’s return.

The club had previously limited itself to saying that “his medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment,” but the coach went further, pointing to the Argentine star’s proven ability to bounce back from injuries throughout his career.

“Yesterday I spoke with him. The club’s statement was very clear. It’s a mild injury. Within the bad news, that’s a good sign. We know the noise that always surrounds Leo whenever he misses a game, and that’s why we don’t like to set exact timelines,” Mascherano explained.

He then offered slightly more concrete hints about the expected recovery: “He’s quite special in this regard — he tends to recover well from injuries and usually does so quickly. Clearly, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s match, but from there we’ll see how he feels and how he progresses with the different tests carried out by the medical staff. Once he’s ready, he’ll rejoin us,” he added.

“During my talk with Cholo (Diego Simeone), we have a great relationship, he always protected me, and we talked a lot about soccer and life. It was super rewarding when I had to leave because I really learned a lot from him. I told him that we were left with the regret of not winning titles together... It was at Atletico Madrid where I had the opportunity to go and play in a World Cup and become a champion,” De Paul said in press conference.

His unexpected departure from Atletico Madrid stunned fans, especially following his impressive performance in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. As a key midfielder for Diego Simeone, he played 186 games, netting 14 goals and delivering 26 assists. Despite his contributions, fan criticism remained persistent, making his transfer to Inter Miami an ideal solution for both the player and the club.

Rodrigo De Paul praises Diego Simeone’s impact and expresses gratitude for his coaching

Rodrigo, while not bidding a formal farewell to Atletico Madrid fans, sincerely expressed his gratitude to head coach Diego Simeone. The Argentine coach played a pivotal role in bringing the midfielder to the Spanish squad from Udinese. Although their partnership did not yield any trophies, De Paul significantly elevated his performance under Simeone’s guidance.

“If I made it to the World Cup the way I did, it was thanks to Atletico, thanks to Cholo. He is one of the coaches who has had a big impact on my career because of his wisdom and his approach to soccer. It was four years with good times and bad times, but above all, I learned a lot, and that’s what I’ll take away with me,” Rodrigo said in press conference.

Rodrigo De Paul aims to build lasting legacy at Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi

With his arrival at Inter Miami, Rodrigo De Paul aims to cement his name in the franchise’s history alongside Lionel Messi. He brings a dynamic presence to the midfield, poised to provide the team the boost it needs to capture its first-ever MLS Cup. Despite having only played two games, he has already proven himself as a key player—a box-to-box midfielder capable of contributing both in defense and attack.

Despite making an early-season impact, Rodrigo now has the chance to establish his legacy with Inter Miami. This opportunity arises as Javier Mascherano’s squad faces Pumas UNAM in a potentially decisive 2025 Leagues Cup match. Complicating matters, they will compete without Lionel Messi, who was injured in the previous game. In his absence, De Paul needs to become a critical leader and game-changer for the team.