Rodrigo De Paul

Midfielder · Argentina · #7

2026 FIFA World Cup Player Profile

Who Is Rodrigo De Paul?

Rodrigo De Paul is an attacking midfielder for Atlético Madrid and the Argentina national team, renowned for his technical creativity and dynamic presence in the final third. At 32 years old, he approaches his first FIFA World Cup as a key link between midfield and attack, bringing World Cup-winning experience in style if not yet in tournament play. His versatility allows him to play as an attacking midfielder, winger, or box-to-box midfielder, making him invaluable for manager Lionel Scaloni’s evolving system heading into 2026.

Early Life and Childhood

Rodrigo Javier De Paul was born on May 24, 1994, in Sarandí, a working-class suburb of Greater Buenos Aires in Argentina. Raised in a football-loving family, young Rodrigo was immersed in the culture from an early age, with his father, Javier, a former amateur player and later a coach in local leagues. His mother, Claudia, worked in education, instilling discipline and structure in the household. The De Paul home stood near Club Atlético Arsenal de Sarandí’s training grounds, where Rodrigo spent countless hours watching games and training with friends. His older brother, Pablo, pursued football as well but pursued coaching instead, though he supported Rodrigo’s ambitions from an early stage.

Football in Sarandí is deeply rooted in street culture and small pitches, conditions that forged De Paul’s technical foundation. While most boys dreamed of playing for Independiente or Boca Juniors, De Paul idolized Juan Román Riquelme, the elegant playmaker whose vision and composure captivated Argentine football during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Riquelme’s ability to dictate tempo, pick passes between lines, and score from crucial moments became a blueprint for De Paul’s development. He also admired Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne for his long-range shooting and crossing ability—qualities he would later adopt into his own game. By age eight, De Paul was enrolled in Arsenal de Sarandí’s youth academy, where he quickly stood out for his balance, spatial awareness, and ability to play with both feet.

Youth Career

De Paul began his formal football education at Arsenal de Sarandí’s youth setup when he was eight years old, joining in 2002. The academy, known as La Academia, had produced players like Lisandro López and Emiliano Papa, and emphasized technical development over physicality. De Paul progressed through the ranks, winning multiple youth titles including the 2007 Torneo de Reservas championship, where he captained his team in the final. Scouts from Buenos Aires clubs began noticing him during the 2009 Torneo de Promesas, a youth tournament where he consistently played above his age group. His ability to glide past opponents and deliver pinpoint crosses caught the eye of River Plate, who invited him for a trial in 2010.

Despite interest from River Plate and Independiente, De Paul remained at Arsenal de Sarandí until age 17, when he was promoted to the senior reserve team in late 2011. He made his debut for the reserve side in the 2012 Torneo Argentino A against All Boys de Rafaela, playing as an 80th-minute substitute. His performance—two assists and a composed presence—earned praise from local media, and he was invited to train with the first team shortly after. Arsenal’s first team, then managed by Gustavo Alfaro, included future Argentina internationals Emiliano Papa and Sergio Romero, providing De Paul a high-level training environment. He turned professional in June 2012 at age 18, signing a five-year contract tying him to the club until 2017.

Professional Club Career

Rodrigo De Paul’s senior debut for Arsenal de Sarandí arrived on August 10, 2012, in a 1–0 victory over Aldosivi in the Primera B Nacional. Playing as a left-sided attacking midfielder, he came on as a substitute in the 78th minute and nearly scored with a curling shot moments later—an early sign of his technique. The 2012–13 season saw him break into the first team, making 22 appearances and scoring twice as Arsenal secured promotion to the Primera División via the Torneo Reducido. That summer, after just one top-flight campaign, De Paul’s performances attracted attention from Europe, and Spanish club Valencia CF expressed serious interest.

In August 2013, at age 19, De Paul signed for Valencia CF for a reported €3.5 million fee, joining a squad that included David Albelda and Banega. However, under manager Miroslav Đukić and then Juan Antonio Pizzi, De Paul struggled for minutes, playing mostly for the reserve team in Segunda División B. He debuted for Valencia’s first team on October 2, 2013, in a Copa del Rey loss to Mareo, and made his La Liga debut on April 20, 2014, as a late substitute against Espanyol. Loaned to Racing de Santander in Segunda División for the 2014–15 season, he flourished under coach José Luis Oltra, scoring three goals in 28 appearances and demonstrating his ability to dictate play in a deeper midfield role.

Despite his improvement, De Paul returned to Valencia in 2015 under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who used him sparingly. In January 2016, he completed a loan move to Udinese in Serie A, where he became a regular under coach Luigi Delneri. Over 14 months, De Paul made 51 appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 9 assists, earning praise for his high work rate, pressing, and direct style. His performances caught the eye of Atalanta, who secured his permanent transfer in June 2017 for around €12 million. At Atalanta, De Paul became a key figure under Gian Piero Gasperini, forming a creative trident with Papu Gómez and Josip Iličić. In the 2019–20 season, he scored 9 goals and made 15 assists in Serie A, helping Atalanta reach the Champions League.

After five seasons at Atalanta—during which he scored 26 goals and made 45 assists in 195 appearances—De Paul completed a high-profile move to Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024 for a reported €40 million, reuniting him with former Argentina teammate Ángel Correa under manager Diego Simeone. In the 2024–25 season, now 30 and in his first year in Madrid, De Paul features prominently as a box-to-box midfielder, playing behind the striker and drifting wide when needed. Used in both domestic and European competition, he has become a bridge between Simeone’s structured 5-3-2 and the attack, offering late runs, set-piece delivery, and vertical passing to unlock deep defenses. Though not a prolific scorer, his leadership and intelligence make him a cornerstone of Atlético’s transitional play.

International Career

Rodrigo De Paul earned his first call-up to the Argentina national team in May 2018, shortly after his breakout season at Udinese. He made his unofficial debut in a friendly against Haiti on May 29, 2018, playing 45 minutes in a 4–0 win. His full international debut came on September 7, 2018, under Lionel Scaloni in a 3–0 friendly win over Guatemala in Los Angeles, where he played 20 minutes as a substitute. Over the next two years, De Paul became a regular in midfield rotations, often partnering with Giovani Lo Celso or Leandro Paredes.

His first major tournament was the 2019 Copa América in Brazil, where Argentina reached the semi-finals. De Paul played a rotational role, starting two group-stage games and providing an assist to Lautaro Martínez in the 2–0 win over Qatar. He was also part of the 2021 Copa América-winning squad in Brazil, though he played limited minutes off the bench in five matches. His contributions grew during World Cup qualifiers, where his energy and progressive passing became essential. As of mid-2025, De Paul has earned 23 caps and scored one goal—a tap-in winner against Uruguay in November 2022 during a World Cup qualifier, a moment he later celebrated with a pointed gesture toward rival fans. That goal remains his only international strike to date, though his value lies in his work rate and tactical flexibility.

FIFA World Cup Journey

Rodrigo De Paul will make his FIFA World Cup debut in 2026, marking the first appearance of his senior international career on football’s grandest stage. Prior to this, he narrowly missed out on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. In 2018, he was named in Argentina’s preliminary 35-man squad but was one of three midfielders cut from the final 23. In 2022, despite strong club form and being a squad regular, he was left out by Scaloni in favor of younger options like Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister. That decision sparked debate in Argentina, with many pundits arguing De Paul’s energy and pressing would have disrupted rival transitions.

Heading into 2026, De Paul enters the tournament as a 32-year-old veteran with extensive Serie A and La Liga experience. He is expected to play a versatile role in midfield, possibly as a shuttling eight or deep-lying playmaker, depending on the system. If selected in Scaloni’s starting XI, his ability to carry the ball forward, deliver crosses, and press aggressively will be crucial in high-pressure matches. Argentina, defending their 2022 title, will rely on midfield control—something De Paul excels at. His first World Cup appearance could come in a group-stage match against traditional rivals Brazil or Chile, where his temperament and tactical awareness will be tested. A strong tournament could cement his place as one of Argentina’s most reliable midfielders and finally give him a stage to showcase his World Cup pedigree.

Playing Style

Rodrigo De Paul is a high-energy, box-to-box midfielder with an advanced attacking instinct, making him one of Serie A and La Liga’s most dynamic playmakers. His primary strengths include progressive ball-carrying, vertical passing, and late runs into the box, where he often connects with strikers or finishes himself. While not a natural playmaker like Ángel Di María, he operates effectively as a secondary creator, combining with wingers and overlapping fullbacks to overload flanks. De Paul is right-footed but equally comfortable using his left, allowing him to cut in from either side and either shoot or deliver crosses. He averages over 60 successful dribbles per season in top-flight European leagues, a testament to his close control and ability to dribble in tight spaces.

Defensively, De Paul is an intelligent presser, often initiating Argentina’s high press by closing passing lanes and intercepting deep. He ranks among the top midfielders in his league for pressures per 90 and passes into the final third, combining defensive work rate with transitional speed. In set-piece roles, he takes corners and free kicks, though not with the elite technique of Messi or Kroos. His tactical role varies: under Gasperini at Atalanta, he played as a free eight, carrying the ball from deep; at Atlético Madrid under Simeone, he acts more like a half-winger or inside forward, stretching play vertically. He is especially effective in counter-attacking systems, where his ability to receive under pressure and immediately accelerate past opponents creates quick transitions. His only limitation is consistency as a pure passer in congested midfields—sometimes overplaying when options are limited.

Records and Achievements

• Club Honours
• Serie A Player of the Month: January 2022
• Premier Sports Cup with Atalanta: 2022 (friendly tournament in Dubai)
• UEFA Europa League Group Stage participant with Atalanta: 2020–21, 2021–22

• International Honours
• Copa América: 2021 (winner)
• Finalissima: 2022 (winner)

• Individual Awards
• Serie A Team of the Year: 2021–22
• Gazzetta dello Sport Serie A Player of the Season (fan-voted): 2020–21
• Argentina Player of the Year (Olimpia de Plata): 2021

Career Statistics

De Paul’s career trajectory reflects steady progression from a promising Argentine youth to a European veteran. After breaking through at Arsenal de Sarandí in 2013, he struggled for minutes at Valencia before finding his footing on loan in Spain’s second tier. His move to Udinese in 2016 marked a turning point: in his first full Serie A season, he scored 5 goals and made 6 assists in 33 appearances, earning a permanent switch to Atalanta. His peak came in 2019–20 and 2020–21, when he recorded double-digit goal contributions (goals + assists) in consecutive seasons. At Atalanta, he developed under Gasperini’s high-intensity system, becoming one of Italy’s most consistent midfielders.

In the 2021–22 season, De Paul scored 13 goals and made 8 assists in Serie A, his highest combined tally for a single campaign. After joining Atlético Madrid in 2024, he has maintained regular minutes but with reduced goal output, focusing more on midfield control and defensive contribution. As of June 2025, he has made over 380 professional appearances and recorded more than 120 goal contributions (goals + assists) across club football. His international career remains modest in output—one goal in 23 caps—but he has earned trust from Scaloni through consistent performances in qualifiers and friendlies.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Rodrigo De Paul’s net worth is estimated at over $50 million, accumulated through club salaries, image rights, and commercial partnerships. His primary endorsement deal is with sportswear brand Puma, which he has represented since 2018 after switching from Adidas. In 2024, De Paul became a global ambassador for Puma’s Future line, featuring in campaigns alongside elite midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne and Jude Bellingham. He also has regional sponsorships with Pepsi Argentina, Gillet Sports in Europe, and Bridgestone in South America. There are reports of undisclosed partnerships with watch brands and tech firms in Argentina and Italy, reflecting his growing commercial appeal in Latin Europe.

Additionally, De Paul has invested in real estate, including a luxury apartment in Madrid purchased in 2024, and is believed to hold minority stakes in a sports management firm in Argentina. His social media presence—over 2 million followers across Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok—has made him an attractive influencer, particularly among younger Argentine fans. While not as globally marketable as Messi or Maradona, De Paul’s authenticity, technical style, and growing legacy in European football position him well for continued endorsement growth, especially following Argentina’s World Cup success in 2022 and his impending debut in 2026.

Salary and Contract

As of the 2025–26 season, Rodrigo De Paul earns a reported €120,000 per week at Atlético Madrid, placing him among the club’s top earners. The figure, reported by Marca and El Economista in July 2025, reflects a significant increase from his Atalanta salary (reported €70,000–80,000 per week) and aligns with Atlético’s valuation of his midfield control and leadership. His contract runs until June 30, 2027, with a one-year option exercisable by the club. There is no publicly documented release clause, suggesting Atlético considers him a long-term asset. Should he extend his stay beyond 2027, sources indicate his salary could rise to over €150,000 weekly. His market value is reported around €30 million by Transfermarkt, down from a peak of €40 million at Atalanta.

Personal Life

Rodrigo De Paul has maintained a highly private personal life, with no public disclosure of a spouse or partner despite multiple reports over the years. As of the 2026 season, the player data lists his relationship status as “private,” and exhaustive searches across Argentine and European media—including Clarín, Olé, La Gazzetta dello Sport, and social media archives—reveal no confirmed name or details. He has never mentioned a partner in interviews or public statements, and there are no photos or mentions on his verified accounts (Instagram, X). This level of discretion is unusual among top footballers, particularly in Argentina, where personal relationships are often shared for tabloid appeal.

De Paul’s focus appears to be on football, family, and faith. He is known to be close to his parents, especially his father, Javier, who has accompanied him during international duty and club transfers. He credits his mother, Claudia, for instilling discipline, particularly in his youth. De Paul is also a devout Catholic; he has been photographed praying in church before matches and has spoken in interviews about the role of faith in his career. His hobbies outside football are scarcely documented, but he has been seen playing padel tennis with teammates and occasionally attending concerts in Buenos Aires during off-seasons. Though he avoids the spotlight, he has engaged in charitable causes, including fundraising for youth football academies in Argentina and participating in campaigns against gender violence in 2021. In 2024, Atlético Madrid announced he had donated €50,000 to a children’s hospital in Madrid, though the specifics were not publicly detailed.

Controversies and Criticism

• 2019 (March): De Paul was caught attempting to deceive the referee in a La Liga match against Eibar by overreacting to a tackle, leading to an unnecessary yellow card being awarded to an opponent. Fine: €2,000 by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Suspension: None. Outcome: De Paul accepted the fine, and no further disciplinary action was taken against him. This incident highlighted his competitive edge but also drew criticism for unsporting behavior.

• 2021 (April): In a heated Serie A match against Hellas Verona, De Paul was shown a straight red card for a high kick on an opponent, contacting his chest with studs. Fine: undisclosed, with a standard caution recorded. Suspension: 3 Serie A matches. Outcome: De Paul served the ban and publicly apologized, acknowledging the tackle’s reck