MLS has long been considered a league where iconic veterans head for one last hurrah.
One only needs to take a look at reigning Supporters Shield holders Inter Miami for confirmation of that. They made international headlines when they brought in Lionel Messi two years ago at the age of 36, before supplementing him with three of his former Barcelona supporting cast, namely Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba, all of whom were in their late thirties.
However, their latest rumored arrival certainly bucks the current trend. Tenacious midfielder Rodrigo De Paul remains a vital cog for both Atletico Madrid and the Argentina national team, but if the gossip columns are to be believed, he could well be on his way to South Beach. Having just turned 31 years old back in May, he remains at the peak of his powers, anchoring the Los Rojiblancos midfield as they finished third in La Liga last season.
De Paul’s Potential Arrival Bolsters Miami’s Hopes
Inter Miami were already considered a sports betting favorite to win the MLS this season, and the potential arrival of De Paul will certainly bolster their hopes. The Floridians are currently positioned in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but with four games in hand, online sports betting sites still make them the team to beat, pricing them at 9/4 to win the MLS Cup. Should they secure another Argentinian maestro, those odds will surely shrink further.
While it might seem surprising to some that players of De Paul’s caliber would consider leaving European competition, he wouldn’t be the first star in his prime to make such a move. Here are three other players who have done the same in recent years.
Lorenzo Insigne
Lorenzo Insigne’s transfer to Toronto FC back in 2022 was certainly a gobsmacker. The diminutive Italian winger had etched his name into Azzurri folklore just a year earlier as he helped Italy win the UEFA European Championships as rank outsiders, netting a stunner in the quarterfinal victory against Belgium in the process. Aged just 29 and with his Napoli contract winding down, many expected him to remain in Serie A, but instead, he made the move to Canada, a move that would ultimately end up being ill-fated.
Insigne’s arrival followed a glittering stint in Naples in which he had racked up well over 300 appearances and become a club legend. In a bid to provide the pacey wide man with a bolstered attacking arsenal, Toronto doubled down and signed another member of Italy’s successful UEFA Euro 2020 winning squad, Federico Bernardeschi. But unfortunately for both the club and the players, things didn’t work out.
Both Italian superstars were recently released by the former MLS Champions after a disastrous three-year stint north of the border. Toronto has spent each of the last three campaigns propping up the rest of the league, and general manager Jason Hernandez clearly feels that he has to cut ties with his marquee players in a bid to reshape his side’s immediate future. Inter Miami will be hoping things work out differently should they sign Rodrigo De Paul.
Thiago Almada
Thiago Almada’s February 2022 transfer to Atlanta United from Velez Sarsfield was a groundbreaking moment that showcased the MLS’s ability to attract younger talent. At just 21 years old, the attacking midfielder wasn’t simply a prospect — he was regarded as one of the brightest young players in world football. A whole host of top European clubs were coveting his signature, but it was surprisingly the Georgians who won the race.
Coming from the prestigious Argentine footballing pipeline, Almada brought with him an eye-catching blend of creativity and technical skill. His ability to influence games through slick passing, intelligent movement, and an eye for the spectacular made his signing a statement of intent for Atlanta, as well as for the MLS as a whole. Less than a year on from the move, the young Argentinian would feature in the Albiceleste’s World Cup-winning squad in Qatar, proving just what a prestigious talent he already was.
Carlos Vela
When Carlos Vela joined Los Angeles FC in 2018, he was fresh off a solid, albeit somewhat subdued, final season with Spain’s Real Sociedad. Throughout his first six years in San Sebastian, the Mexican winger was one of the first names on the teamsheet, netting 60 goals in almost 200 games. His final campaign saw him add just one to that tally, but nevertheless, at 28 years old, Vela still claimed a regular spot in Mexico’s national team and was widely regarded as one of La Liga’s most talented forwards.
The Arsenal academy product wasted no time making his mark in California, lighting up the league with dazzling displays. His 2019 season remains one of the most stunning individual campaigns in league history, where he scored 34 goals and provided 10 assists en route to winning MVP honors. Vela’s decision to swap Europe for the States around the height of his career signaled a shift in perception, proving that elite players didn’t have to wait until their twilight years to compete in the league.