How Inter Miami could line up with Rodrigo De Paul in the starting XI

Rodrigo De Paul is set to join Inter Miami, giving head coach Javier Mascherano a vital piece his midfield has been missing — a true box-to-box presence. De Paul brings not only his elite physical form at 31 years old, but also world-class experience: a World Cup champion, Copa América winner, and more than a decade playing top-flight football in Europe.

Rodrigo De Paul is set to join Inter Miami, giving head coach Javier Mascherano a vital piece his midfield has been missing — a true box-to-box presence. De Paul brings not only his elite physical form at 31 years old, but also world-class experience: a World Cup champion, Copa América winner, and more than a decade playing top-flight soccer in Europe.

In a league like MLS, where midfields can often feel disjointed or inconsistent, De Paul’s energy and tactical balance could be a game-changer.

Inter Miami’s current roster already includes stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. But the team also features rising young talent trying to break through and grab attention — names like Tadeo Allende, Federico Redondo, and Telasco Segovia. Now, with De Paul, Mascherano gains a player who can defend, attack, link up with Messi, and cover every blade of grass — just as he does with the Argentine national team.

Projected starting XI with De Paul in the lineup

De Paul is expected to slot in on the right side of a three-man midfield. The backline likely remains unchanged: Óscar Ustari in goal (though currently injured), Marcelo Weigandt, Maxi Falcón, Tomás Avilés, and Jordi Alba. Ahead of them, Busquets as the deep-lying playmaker, with Redondo or Cremaschi rotating next to him depending on the opponent. De Paul would complete the midfield triangle, bringing box-to-box dynamism on the right.

In attack, Messi drifting centrally from the right, Allende or Segovia occupying the left wing, and Suárez leading the line. That setup would give Inter Miami a fluid 4-3-3: Ustari; Weigandt, Falcón, Avilés, Alba; De Paul, Busquets, Redondo/Cremaschi; Messi, Suárez, Allende/Segovia.

Tactical flexibility with De Paul

De Paul can also drop into a double pivot with Busquets in a more attack-minded 4-2-4 formation. That would free up Mascherano to include Cremaschi as a more advanced option or pair two of Allende, Segovia, and Baltasar Rodríguez with the Messi-Suárez tandem.

Another possible XI could be: Ustari; Weigandt, Falcón, Avilés, Alba; De Paul, Busquets; Cremaschi/Allende, Messi, Suárez, Segovia/Baltasar Rodríguez.

With De Paul, Mascherano gets his other engine — a player capable of driving Inter Miami’s ambition deep into the MLS season.