Messi s "bodyguard" is here to renew his relationship? The 31-year-old midfielder moved to the US League. There are too many stories hidden in this journey

The 2025 American League team suddenly became lively due to a transfer news - 31-year-old Argentine midfielder De Paul will join Miami International for a transfer fee of 15 million euros and sign a four-year contract. As soon as the news came out, the fans' first reaction was not to be amazed at the transfer fee, but to joke: "Messi's 'personal bodyguard' has finally come to the United States!"

This "bodyguard" was not just a casual call. From the 2021 Copa America to the 2022 World Cup, the most common thing DePaul does in the Argentina national team is to use his body to block Messi - when the opponent's forward rushed over, he was always the first to open his arms; when Messi was knocked to the ground, he was even more anxious to find the ball than the referee. Over time, fans nicknamed this tough guy who always "protects" around Messi: "Messi's mobile wall".

From Atletico Madrid to Miami: He waited for a long time for this transfer

Speaking of which, the fate between DePaul and Miami has long been planted in his heart. In 2021, he transferred from Udinese to Atletico Madrid for 35 million euros and played at Calderon Stadium for four years. In the past four years, he has grown from a "midfield engineer" to an "all-round commander" - he has contributed 14 goals and 26 assists in 187 league games, and averaged 2.1 interceptions and 3.4 steals per game, making him a well-known "hard bone" in La Liga. But at the same time, the age of 31 has gradually made his position awkward: Simeone began to train young midfielders, his playing time began to fluctuate, and his salary space was also compressed.

At this time, the family’s ideas became the key. "The kids always ask me, 'Dad, when will we go to the United States?'" DePaul admitted in an interview, "Miami likes the sunshine, and I also want to change the pace of life." Miami International's invitation just gave him a perfect step - the transfer fee of 15 million euros is not low, and the four-year contract is stable enough. More importantly, there is the "old acquaintance" he is most familiar with.

Miami's "little trick": bringing together the "Argentine Gang"

De Paul chose Miami, but in fact there was another layer of small thought: this place has long become the "happy hometown of Argentine players."

Since Messi joining in 2023, Miami International is like opening the "Argentine Friends Special Line": Busquets, Alba, and Suarez have arrived one after another, and even Messi's youth training teammates have joined in the fun. Boss Beckham's abacus is very good: these Argentine stars who have fans all over the world can mention the attention of the American League from "local American" to "global hot searches".

And DePaul's addition just made up for the puzzle that Miami lacked the most - midfield hardness. Just look at his data at Atletico Madrid: the opponent's conceding rate dropped by 18% under his defense, and the success rate of steals in key battles was as high as 67%. Not to mention the "tatious" between him and Messi: in the 2021 Copa America semi-finals, Messi made a straight pass, and DePaul understood the push shot and scored; in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, DePaul used his body to withstand the opponent's central defender, leaving Messi a gap in the pass. This tacit understanding of "one-eye-knowing" is much more precious than data. Behind

15 million euros: It is adventure and a new beginning

Of course, this transfer is not all about flowers and applause. Compared with the five major European leagues, the intensity of the competition is indeed like a "dimensionality reduction strike". Can the 31-year-old DePaul still support 90 minutes of high-intensity confrontation? The more realistic problem is salary - Miami International has used up three "designated players" (the league allows three players per team to be paid not included in the salary cap), and DePaul's annual salary in the first two years has been reduced to about $10 million, nearly half of his time at Atletico Madrid.

But from another perspective, this may be an opportunity. In 2026, Busquets' contract will expire, and then DePaul will be able to return as a "designated player" and the salary space will be released again; and Miami International is also quietly making arrangements: they have just signed a former Real Madrid assistant coach as a technical consultant, intending to move the Spanish style of "passing and controlling + defense" to the American League. For DePaul, instead of being a "substitute surprise" in Europe, it is better to be a "tactical core" in this new land - after all, who doesn't want to leave a story of "starting a sect" at the end of his career?

The charm of football is hidden in the "brotherhood"

In fact, the most touching thing about DePaul's transfer is not the 15 million euros figure, but the "brotherhood" hidden behind the data.

After winning the 2022 World Cup, Messi specially hugged DePaul's shoulder at the awards ceremony: "Without him, I might have been broken up by my opponent." DePaul wrote on his social media: "My task is very simple - let Messi play with peace of mind." This kind of emotion that transcends the contract has continued their cooperation from the national team to the club.

Now, when DePaul drags his suitcase into Miami International's training base, he is greeted not only with his new teammates, but also with the entire SPEC's gaze. Will he become the "mobile wall" around Messi? Will he redefine his career on this land? These questions may not be answered until the start of the MAF this fall.

But one thing is certain: when DePaul and Messi stand side by side again on the court, when they use tacit passes to tear open the opponent's defense line, and when the fans in the stands shouted the slogan "Argentina!" - At this moment, the charm of football really came to life.