Lionel Messi Welcomes Rodrigo De Paul to Inter Miami as World Cup Winner Unveiled

Lionel Messi welcomed his new Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul during the club's match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, despite Messi being suspended for one game due to skipping the MLS All-Star Game. Messi watched the game from a suite at Chase Stadium, where he was seen drinking maté and sharing jokes with De Paul, showcasing their camaraderie.

De Paul, officially signed on loan from Atlético Madrid the previous day, did not make his debut in the match. However, he was presented to fans for the first time in a pre-match unveiling ceremony on the pitch. Addressing the crowd in Spanish before kickoff, De Paul pledged, "I’m going to give everything I have so that together we can win more titles."

The interaction highlighted their established friendship, with De Paul joining as the latest of Messi's close associates in the star-studded Inter Miami squad. De Paul, a key defensive midfielder, has been instrumental in Argentina's international successes alongside Messi, including the 2022 World Cup and Copa América titles. Both players are now set to debut together as teammates in Inter Miami's Leagues Cup opener against Liga MX’s Atlas on July 30.