Rodrigo De Paul
#7 · Midfielder · age 31
Joined Messi at Inter Miami in 2025; engine of midfield
85
WC26 rating
- Recent form
- 61
- Career peak
- 67
- League level
- 78
- Competition pedigree
- 97
- International pedigree
- 94
- Longevity
- 72
Independent rating — league strength (Opta-anchored) × competition tier × position-normalized output. Not affiliated with EA or FIFA.
Career by season
Source: sofascore · fetched 2026-05-29
De Paul is the player who makes the rest of Argentina’s structure work. With Messi liberated from defensive duty and the front line built to attack space, the No. 7 covers the ground that holds the team together — pressing triggers, recovery sprints, the short pass that keeps possession alive.
The Inter Miami reunion was as much tactical as sentimental: De Paul has spent six years building the chemistry that lets Messi receive between the lines without losing the ball to a counter. Scaloni knows the formula and won’t change it for this tournament. Expect every Argentina midfield three to include him.
Strengths
- Box-to-box stamina across 90-plus minutes
- Press resistance — receives under pressure and recycles cleanly
- Tactical fouling — the dark arts that protect Argentina's transition shape
Recent form
MLS Best XI nominee for the 2025 Inter Miami season; ever-present through CONMEBOL qualifying.
His nickname 'Motorcito' (Little Motor) was coined by Messi himself during a 2019 Copa América camp.