Rodrigo De Paul, teammate to Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, has stated that securing a victory in Major League Soccer (MLS) is more difficult than winning the UEFA Champions League. The Argentine midfielder, who joined Inter Miami on a loan deal from Atlético Madrid during the summer of 2025, has now completed a permanent transfer ahead of the 2026 season.
De Paul’s move to Inter Miami became permanent following the retirement of Sergio Busquets, allowing him to take one of the three Designated Player slots on the MLS Cup-winning team. Reflecting on the difference between winning titles, De Paul made a bold claim in an interview with Marca Mexico:
“I think it’s harder to win MLS than the Champions League.”
During his four seasons in Spain at Atlético Madrid, De Paul did not secure any major trophies. However, since joining Inter Miami, he has already celebrated winning the MLS Cup in just six months. Throughout his career in Spain, he appeared in 34 UEFA Champions League matches—excluding qualifiers—scoring three goals and assisting twice, representing both Atlético Madrid and Valencia.
Former Coach Foresees Cristiano Ronaldo Joining Messi in MLS
Rene Meulensteen, a former Manchester United coach, expressed optimism about Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential impact in the MLS if he teams up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. Speaking to BetGoat (via GOAL), Meulensteen highlighted Ronaldo’s continued capabilities despite his age and lauded the possibility of their partnership:
“Cristiano Ronaldo could still thrive in the MLS, no problem. With the right team and players around him, 100%, he could thrive. Give him service, and he’ll put it in the back of the net. He could do that in the MLS, without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami? It would be incredible. Honestly, it would be great. It would be the biggest box office games every single week. Who wouldn’t want to see that? As long as you have the right balance to ensure both Cristiano and Messi can still play at their best. It’s exciting just to think about, it would have the biggest interest in football history if they were able to pull it off, that’s for sure.”
Currently, Lionel Messi is secured at Inter Miami until 2028 following a recent contract extension. Cristiano Ronaldo remains under contract with Al-Nassr, with less than 18 months remaining and a $59 million release clause set for the upcoming summer transfer window, fueling speculation about a potential move.
MLS Emerging as a Premier Destination for World-Class Talent
The statements from De Paul and Meulensteen highlight the evolving stature of MLS as a competitive and prestigious league attracting global stars like Lionel Messi and potentially Cristiano Ronaldo. De Paul’s experience suggests that winning the MLS title requires navigating unique challenges not always found in European competitions.
If Ronaldo joins forces with Messi at Inter Miami, it could not only elevate the league’s profile but also generate unprecedented global interest in American soccer. This potential partnership is stirring anticipation among fans, as it presents an opportunity for historic moments in football history on U.S. soil.
¿MLS o Champions League? 🤔
😱 Para Rodrigo De Paul existe más dificultad en la liga de Estados Unidos 🇺🇸⚽️#rodrigodepaul #mls #intermiami #championsleague #futbol pic.twitter.com/jbT0c0lwrq
— MARCA México 🇲🇽 (@MarcaMexico_) February 19, 2026
