Rodrigo De Paul Eyes Jersey Number Options as Inter Miami Move Looms
Official confirmation has arrived that Rodrigo De Paul will depart Atlético Madrid and European football entirely to reunite with longtime companion Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
Fabrizio Romano verified what many had anticipated throughout the previous week. Miami will transfer a sum of €15 million ($17.6 million) to acquire the Argentina midfielder from Atlético. De Paul will become a Heron and sign a fresh four-year deal.
Miami continues their recruitment drive as they pursue their inaugural MLS Cup championship. Following the acquisitions of Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez, De Paul arrives hoping to build upon their opening round elimination in last season's MLS Cup playoffs.
The 2022 World Cup winner is merely 31-years-old and possesses considerable ability remaining. Miami supporters will be thrilled with this signing that brings another marquee player to don the pink jersey at Chase Stadium.
However, which number will appear on De Paul's pink Miami jersey?
Rodrigo De Paul Shirt Number History
De Paul began his professional career more than ten years ago with Argentine powerhouse Racing Club, sporting the No.20 on his jersey. Shortly after making favorable impressions in his initial appearances, he assumed the then-available No.10 shirt until his club departure in 2014.
Valencia in La Liga became De Paul's subsequent club, marking his European football introduction while returning to the No.20. Following an underwhelming performance, he returned to Racing in 2016, briefly wearing No.30 before reclaiming his original number before his final exit from the organization.
De Paul transferred to Udinese during summer 2016. He would remain five seasons with the Serie A outfit, wearing the No.10 jersey throughout his entire period there. Upon his move to Atlético Madrid in 2021, he adopted the No.5 shirt for Diego Simeone's squad, the digit he maintained during his complete time in Spain's capital.
For Argentina, De Paul initially appeared wearing No.16, the digit he sported during his first international competition for La Albiceleste: the 2019 Copa América. Following short periods wearing 15 and 8, De Paul ultimately claimed the No.7 shirt and proceeded to capture two Copa América championships and one World Cup triumph wearing the fortunate number.
Inter Miami Available Shirt Numbers
Arriving at the Herons during mid-season indicates limited prestigious numbers remain available for De Paul's selection. The No.5 and No.7 have been the digits most associated with De Paul recently, though those are presently held by Sergio Busquets and Fafa Picault.
Messi famously possesses the No.10, the number De Paul frequently utilized during his career's early phase. Nevertheless, there exists a compelling choice for the Argentine midfielder to revisit.
The No.20 remains accessible for De Paul to claim upon his arrival. The number he wore for his professional debut and European football introduction could similarly be his selection for his MLS debut. The 20 has remained unoccupied since 2022, making it seemingly inevitable that De Paul will choose it for his Miami premiere.
De Paul might alternatively select 16, the number he utilized when initially playing alongside Messi for Argentina. Another possibility would be wearing No.4, as other central midfielders have previously done including Pep Guardiola, Cesc Fàbregas and Patrick Vieira.
Additional unlikely available choices include 3, 12 and 13. Nevertheless, De Paul could potentially arrive in the U.S. and embrace the nation's culture, choosing to wear an legendary NBA number like 23.