Lionel Messi has turn out to be the face of Main League Soccer since arriving in 2023, benefiting from a record-setting $12 million wage with Inter Miami. Now sharing the sector with a detailed good friend and Argentina nationwide staff teammate, comparisons have emerged between the No. 10’s wages and Rodrigo De Paul’s new deal following his departure from Atlético Madrid.
In a shocking transfer through the 2025 summer season switch window, Inter Miami accomplished the signing of Rodrigo De Paul, whose contract with Atlético Madrid was set to run out on the finish of the season. Regardless of being a daily starter, the Colchoneros opted to maneuver the Argentine midfielder, initially sending him to MLS on a six-month mortgage.
With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba leaving the membership, Inter Miami freed up each wage cap house and monetary flexibility, and in December 2025 formally exercised the everlasting switch choice on De Paul. The charge, €15 million (practically $18 million), made him the second costliest signings in MLS historical past.
Now formally a part of Inter Miami, De Paul joins the membership’s group of Designated Gamers alongside Messi and newly signed Germán Berterame from Monterrey. His contract runs via December 2029, which means the midfielder will stay with the Herons no matter Messi’s future, because the Argentine captain’s deal expires in December 2028.
Lionel Messi #10 and Rodrigo De Paul #7 of Inter Miami CF.
Messi and De Paul’s salaries
In keeping with the MLSPA wage information printed in 2025, Messi stays the league’s highest-paid participant with a base wage of $12 million per season at Inter Miami. When endorsements and industrial partnerships are included, his complete annual earnings rise to $20,446,667.
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In contrast, the identical wage information lists De Paul effectively beneath Messi, with a base wage of $1.5 million. Together with bonuses and extra compensation, his complete earnings attain $3.62 million. Whereas De Paul ranks second amongst Inter Miami gamers in general pay, tied with Luis Suárez, he nonetheless trails Messi by a large margin, in line with figures compiled by Capology.
The distinction is very hanging when in comparison with De Paul’s earnings in Spain. Per Capology, the midfielder earned a gross annual wage of €6.67 million (roughly $7.77 million) underneath the four-year contract he signed with Atlético Madrid in 2021, a major drop from his present take care of the Herons.
