Rodrigo De Paul left out of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup squad list: When will he make his debut?
Rodrigo De Paul has quickly become the blockbuster signing of the 2025 MLS summer window, raising expectations among Inter Miami fans. However, the Argentine World Cup winner was left off the Herons’ squad list for the Leagues Cup, which kicks off next week, prompting questions about when the midfielder might make his debut.
After four years with Atlético Madrid, De Paul made the surprising decision to leave Europe and join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. The Argentine joins on loan through the end of 2025, with an option to make the deal permanent until 2029 for a reported fee of around €15 million.
With Messi suspended after missing the MLS All-Star Game, De Paul was officially unveiled during Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati. Taking the microphone at Chase Stadium, the midfielder addressed fans for the first time. “I’m going to give everything I have so that together we can win more titles,” said to the attenders at the Chase Stadium.
While De Paul has been presented as Inter Miami’s new No. 7, he has yet to receive his P-1 visa or International Transfer Certificate (ITC)—key requirements to train and play officially in the United States. Besides, he was left out of the initial Leagues Cup roster, which had to be submitted by July 19. Interestingly, Fafa Picault is currently listed with the No. 7 shirt for the tournament, adding to the confusion over De Paul’s status.
When could De Paul make his debut?
Despite being omitted from the initial roster, Rodrigo De Paul is still able to make his official debut with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup. According to tournament rules, clubs are allowed to make limited updates to their squad following the registration deadline.
“Following the Registration Period, a Club may substitute or add up to three (3) Players from its Roster if the substitution is due to injury, illness, or new Player acquisition. Such substitutions or additions may be made between July 20, 2025 and August 18,2025 at 11:59 p.m. (ET),” the Leagues Cup regulations state.
Given that Inter Miami named just 26 of a possible 30 players to their Leagues Cup roster, and with De Paul’s paperwork still being finalized, the path remains open for him to be added in the coming days. If his documentation is cleared in time, De Paul is expected to debut during the Leagues Cup group stage.
Inter Miami open the tournament on Wednesday, July 30, against Atlas, then against Necaxa on Saturday, August 2, and will close the group stage on Wednesday, August 6, when the Herons face Pumas UNAM, the three games at home. Barring further delays, one of those three fixtures is expected to mark De Paul’s highly anticipated first appearance in Inter Miami’s signature pink kit.