Rodrigo De Paul made his debut for Inter Miami CF on Wednesday night in a dramatic 2-1 win over Atlas in the 2025 Leagues Cup, making the starting line up alongside Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Marcelo Weigandt scored a late goal from a Messi assist to hand Miami a win in its opening match of the Leagues Cup. De Paul played the full 90 minutes and was his usual industrious self in midfield, bossing the middle of the field and connecting on passes all over the pitch.
Though De Paul had yet to formally train with the club, head coach Javier Mascherano revealed De Paul worked separately to remain in shape ahead of the game. De Paul also remained active throughout the summer, participating in the Club World Cup with Atlético Madrid before sealing the move to Miami.
"Well, we've known each other for a while. We've played a lot of games together, and it really gives us a quality boost to the squad," Messi said about having De Paul join Miami. "We're coming in with a lot of desire. They're coming off a short training session and they ran everything, which is difficult because of the heat, high temperatures, and humidity. We competed very well and took the three points."
Miami manager Javier Mascherano marvelled at De Paul's contributions after having not played a competitive match since Atleti exited the Club World Cup in late June.
"First, incredibly, it's been over a month and a few days since he played his last game," Mascherano said. "He didn't train with us, and seeing him not only perform, but also give that kind of performance until the very last minute. Well, it speaks to what he's all about; we needed a certain type of player as well.
"We know all his energy, and well, we're simply trying to tell him to be himself here and do the same, to try to infect us with that unique quality he has. So, congratulations on his debut, and I'm very happy with the performance he put in."
De Paul is no stranger to connecting with Messi on the pitch, featuring alongside the No. 10 to win the 2022 World Cup, and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles for Argentina. The midfielder also played alongside Suárez in Europe, coinciding for the 2021-22 season at Atleti.
After the match against Atlas, Miami hosts Necaxa and Pumas in hopes of qualifying for the knockout round. The club won the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy in 2023.