Will Atlético Madrid Miss Rodrigo De Paul?

Rodrigo De Paul, a central midfielder known for his work rate and leadership, departed Atlético Madrid in July 2025 to join Inter Miami on a loan deal valid through the 2025 MLS season, with an option—and likely obligation—to make the move permanent until 2029. Despite nearly four seasons and almost 200 appearances (187 matches), he leaves Madrid without winning a major trophy.

De Paul’s Contribution at Atlético

Over the 2021–2025 period, De Paul featured in 134 league games, scoring 11 goals and providing around 20–26 assists, depending on the source. In his final season (2024‑25), he logged 3 goals and 6 assists across competitions, alongside high involvement: 220 ball regains, 89 tackles, and excellent passing accuracy (~83‑84%). In the 2023–24 season, De Paul scored 4 goals and contributed 6 assists, ranking among the midfield top creators for Atlético.

Apart from stats, he was praised by coach Simeone and teammates as a dependable leader with growing influence both on and off the pitch.

How Will Atlético Fare Without Him?

In replacing De Paul, Atlético signed Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. The 23-year-old American arrives wearing De Paul’s former number 5 shirt and is seen as his direct successor in central midfield. Simultaneously, Atleti also brought in other midfield reinforcements such as Álex Baena, Thiago Almada, Matteo Ruggeri, and Marc Pubill However, Cardoso will need time to settle into Diego Simeone's tactical system. Unlike De Paul—who had already earned captain-like respect and was fully embedded in Atlético’s style—Cardoso faces the challenge of filling both a technical and leadership void. While Atlético has revamped the wing and midfield areas, De Paul’s combination of defensive grit, transitional passing, and experience may be hard to replace immediately.

Should Fans Worry?

Given De Paul’s substantial involvement—averaging around 47–51 matches per season with consistent contributions—Atlético will likely feel his absence, especially in transitional play and midfield organization. His departure also symbolizes a broader shift: Atleti is recalibrating financially and strategically, off‑loading veterans (like Saúl, Koke, Azpilicueta) and leaning toward younger talents. That said, Atlético’s midfield will evolve, and if Cardoso and Almada adapt quickly, the gaps could be mitigated. The club’s continued investment and squad depth may ease the transition. Nonetheless, in the short term, De Paul’s departure represents a tangible drop in experience and leadership.

Conclusion

In summary: Yes, Atlético Madrid will miss Rodrigo De Paul—especially his consistency, leadership, and midfield presence. Though Atlético has proactively recruited replacements, it remains to be seen whether Johnny Cardoso or other new signings can replicate De Paul’s influence in both playmaking and dressing‑room stability.