What is Rodrigo De Paul's Net Worth and Salary?
Rodrigo De Paul is an Argentine professional soccer player who has a net worth of $25 million.
Rodrigo De Paul has played for Racing Club, Valencia, Udinese, Atlético Madrid and Inter Miami while becoming one of the defining midfielders of Argentina's modern championship era. Nicknamed "El Motorcito," or "The Little Engine," De Paul is known for his relentless running, aggressive pressing, passing range and willingness to handle much of the physical work surrounding Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
De Paul helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He later joined Messi at Inter Miami, giving the club another established Argentine international and one of Major League Soccer's highest-paid players.
Although De Paul began his career as an attacking midfielder, he gradually transformed into a complete central midfielder capable of creating chances, defending, carrying the ball and setting the emotional tone for his team. His long European career, Argentina tournament bonuses, endorsements and lucrative Inter Miami contract support an estimated net worth of $25 million.
Early Life
Rodrigo Javier De Paul was born on May 24, 1994, in Sarandí, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
De Paul began playing soccer at Deportivo Belgrano when he was three years old. He occasionally played as a goalkeeper because he was competing against older children, but he eventually developed as an attacking midfielder.
At age eight, De Paul attended a trial with Racing Club and was accepted into the academy. He progressed through the youth system and developed a reputation as a technically skilled playmaker.
Racing Club
De Paul made his professional debut for Racing Club in February 2013, entering as a substitute against Atlético de Rafaela.
He quickly became a regular and played primarily as a creative midfielder or left-sided attacker. His dribbling, passing and willingness to shoot from distance attracted interest from European clubs.
Valencia acquired De Paul in 2014 for a reported transfer fee of approximately €6.5 million. He later returned to Racing on loan during the first half of 2016, helping the club compete in the Copa Libertadores before resuming his European career.
Valencia
De Paul's first experience in Europe came with Valencia in Spain's La Liga.
His time with the club was inconsistent. He was sent off shortly after entering as a substitute during his league debut and struggled to earn a permanent role in a competitive squad.
De Paul nevertheless gained valuable experience in Spain and appeared in domestic and European competition. After spending part of the 2015-16 season back at Racing, he left Valencia and joined Udinese.
Udinese
Udinese signed De Paul in July 2016. The move to Italy became the turning point of his club career.
De Paul initially played in attacking positions but gradually moved into central midfield. He became stronger defensively while retaining the passing and dribbling ability he had developed as a No. 10.
Over five seasons, De Paul became Udinese's captain and primary creative player. He regularly led the club in assists, chances created and progressive carries while also contributing goals from midfield.
His performances established him as one of Serie A's leading midfielders and earned him a permanent place in Argentina's national team.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid acquired De Paul from Udinese in July 2021 for a reported transfer fee of approximately €35 million.
The move reunited him with Spanish soccer and placed him under Argentine manager Diego Simeone. De Paul's intensity, tactical flexibility and physical approach made him a natural fit for Atlético.
He appeared regularly in La Liga and the Champions League, operating as a central midfielder, wide midfielder and occasional attacking playmaker. De Paul contributed goals and assists but was especially valuable for his pressing, ball recoveries and ability to carry possession through midfield.
His Atlético career coincided with Argentina's rise to the top of international soccer. De Paul's status with the national team often exceeded his prominence at club level, where he shared playing time with several established midfielders.
Inter Miami
De Paul joined Inter Miami from Atlético Madrid during the 2025 MLS season. The initial agreement was structured as a loan with an option to complete a permanent transfer.
Inter Miami exercised that option following the 2025 season, securing De Paul through the end of the 2029 MLS campaign.
The move reunited him at club level with Messi. De Paul had already spent years serving as Messi's energetic midfield partner with Argentina, and their relationship became one of the defining dynamics of the national team.
At Inter Miami, De Paul joined a club built around international stars and an expanding global audience. His arrival added defensive intensity and midfield experience to a roster that had already become one of the most closely followed teams in North American soccer.
Argentina National Team
De Paul made his senior Argentina debut in October 2018, shortly after Lionel Scaloni took control of the national team.
He became one of Scaloni's most trusted players and appeared at the 2019 Copa América, where Argentina finished third.
De Paul played a crucial role in Argentina's 2021 Copa América victory. In the final against Brazil, he delivered the long pass that Ángel Di María converted for the match's only goal. The victory gave Argentina its first major senior trophy since 1993 and Messi his first major championship with the national team.
Argentina later defeated Italy in the 2022 Finalissima before winning the World Cup in Qatar. De Paul started all seven matches during the tournament and supplied much of the running and defensive pressure around Messi and Alexis Mac Allister.
Argentina defeated France in the final after a penalty shootout in which Emiliano Martínez played a decisive role.
De Paul remained a regular as Argentina won the 2024 Copa América, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the winning goal in the final. He also played alongside Julián Álvarez during Argentina's run to another World Cup final in 2026.
Contracts, Salaries & Career Earnings
De Paul's Inter Miami contract pays a base salary of approximately $7.57 million per year.
After guaranteed signing payments and other guaranteed compensation are included, his annual compensation is approximately $9.69 million. That makes him one of the highest-paid players in Major League Soccer, behind only a small group led by Messi.
His agreement runs through December 2029. The four guaranteed seasons beginning in 2026 are worth approximately $30.3 million in fixed salary before additional bonuses and endorsements.
Public salary estimates place De Paul's gross fixed career earnings at approximately $30 million. That figure likely understates his complete income because it excludes some historical bonuses, image-rights payments, Argentina prize money and endorsement earnings.
Transfer fees paid for De Paul did not go directly to him. The fees paid by Valencia, Udinese, Atlético Madrid and Inter Miami were primarily payments between clubs.
After income taxes in Spain and Italy, representation fees and personal expenses, an estimated net worth of $25 million is reasonable. His Inter Miami contract could increase that figure substantially by the end of 2029.
Endorsements
De Paul earns additional income through sportswear, soccer equipment and consumer-brand partnerships.
His association with Messi and Argentina's championship teams has dramatically increased his visibility. His distinctive tattoos, fashion choices and energetic personality have also made him one of the national team's more recognizable players away from the field.
Personal Life
De Paul has two children, Francesca and Bautista, from his former relationship with Camila Homs.
He later had a highly publicized relationship with Argentine singer Tini Stoessel. His personal life has frequently appeared in Argentine entertainment media, although his international reputation is primarily based on his performances with the national team.
De Paul is especially close to Messi and has often been described as one of the captain's most loyal teammates. Their friendship and partnership eventually extended from Argentina to Inter Miami.
Read more: Rodrigo De Paul Net Worth
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