{"id":256163,"first_name":"Rodrigo Javier","last_name":"de Paul","short_name":"R. de Paul","common_name":"Rodrigo de Paul","place_of_birth":"Sarandí, Buenos Aires","gender":"male","height":178,"weight":78,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T19:41:18.860Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-18T11:58:44.024Z","locale":"en","age":31,"stb_id":"rodrigo-de-paul","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Rodrigo de Paul","top_position":null,"introduction":"**Rodrigo Javier de Paul** is an Argentine midfielder whose technical prowess and versatility have made him a centrepiece for both his club \"Atlético Madrid\" and the Argntina national team. Standing at 178cm, the dynamic playmaker combines exceptional passing range with tireless work-rate, making him one of the most dependable engines in modern footbal. His journey from Racing Club to becoming a World Cup winner demonstrates his remarkable evolution as a player. De Paul has become renowned for his ability to dictate play from deep while also contributing in the final third when needed.","early_life_and_career":"Born in Sarandí, Greater Buenos Aires, de Paul grew up in a family with Italian roots through his mother, Monica Ferrarotti. The youngest of three brothers, his early life wasn't always straightforward - his parents divorced when he was young, leaving his mother to raise him and his brothers Damian and Guido by herself.\n\nInterestingly, young Rodrigo started his football journey as a goalkeeper! His grandfather Osvaldo recognized his potential and enrolled him at Racing Club's youth academy when he was just 8 years old back in 2002. The switch from keeping out goals to creating them proved to be a masterstroke for de Paul's career.\n\nHis talent was obvious from early on. Racing Club saw something special in the kid and nurtured his developent carefully. The midfield maestro made his professional debut for Racing in February 2013, and it didn't take long for him to make an impact - he bagged his first professional goal just a month later. His performances for Racing quickly caught the eyes of European scouts.","professional_career_and_highlights":"After impressing at Racing Club, de Paul made the leap to Europe when **\"Valencia CF\"** splashed approximately US$6.5 million to secure his services in 2014. The move to Spain represented a masive step up for the young Argentine. His time at Valencia lasted two seasons, during which he adapted to the demands of European fotball.\n\nHowever, it was his subsequent move to **\"Udinese\"** in 2016 that truly transformed his career trajectory. At Udinese, de Paul evolved from a promising talent into a genuine star of Serie A. His performances improved season after season. De Paul became such an influential figure that he was eventually handed the captain's armband, highlighting both his leadership qualities and his importance to the team. He spent 5 years with the Italian club, refining his skills and becoming one of the league's standout midfielders.\n\nIn 2021, **\"Atlético Madrid\"** came calling with a substantial offer of €26.68 million, securing de Paul on a five-year contract. The move to Atlético represented a significant step up, joining one of Spain's biggest clubs under the tutelage of renowned coach Diego Simeone. At Atlético, he's continued to showcase his abilities at the highest level of European competition.","playing_style_and_skills":"On the pitch, de Paul operates as a complete midfield package. His engine seems to never stop running - covering enormous ground over ninety minutes while maintaining technical quality throughout. The Argentine possesses exceptional stamina that allows him to contribute both defensively and offensively without compromising either aspect.\n\nWhat truly sets him apart is his vision and range of passing. De Paul can pick out teammates with laser-precise long balls that switch play instantly or thread delicate through-passes that slice open defensive lines. He's equally comfortble playing as a deep-lying playmaker or in more advanced positions.\n\nHis ball control in tight spaces is remarkable. De Paul can wriggle out of pressure situations with close control and quick feet, often drawing fouls in dangerous areas. This technical security makes him invaluable for teams looking to maintain possession under pressure.\n\nThe 178cm midfielder also boasts an absolute cannon of a right foot. His long-range shooting adds another dimension to his game, forcing opponents to close him down and creating space for teammates. His set-piece delivery is consistently dangerous, whether looking to score directly or find a teammate.","notable_achievements":"De Paul's international career with Argentina has yielded his most significant accolades. After making his debut for the Albiceleste in a 4-0 win against Iraq on October 11th, 2018, he quickly established himself as a key component in the national setup.\n\nHe was part of the Argentina squad that secured 3rd place in the Copa América 2019, but his finest hour came in the 2021 edition of the tournament. During that Copa América campaign, de Paul was instrumental in Argentina's triumph - scoring a crucial goal in the quarterfinals and providing the asist for Ángel Di María's winning goal in the final against Brazil. This victory ended Argentina's 28-year wait for a major trophy.\n\nHowever, his crowning achievement came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he played an essential role in Argentina's victorious campaign. De Paul started all seven matches and was a tireless presence in midfield as Argentina secured their third World Cup title. His performances throughout the tournament showcased his importance to the team's structure and balance.\n\nAt club level, his journey from Racing to \"Atlético Madrid\" demonstrates consistent progress, with his market value peaking at €40 million in twenty-twenty-one.","impact_on_sport":"De Paul represents the modern, versatile midfielder that top teams increasingly demand. His ability to combine defensive work-rate with creative output makes him the prototype for midfielders in contemporary footbal. Coaches frequently highlight his tactical intelligence and adaptability as key attributes.\n\nFor Argentina, his partnership with Lionel Messi has been particularly significant. De Paul's willingness to do the defensive dirty work provides freedom for more attack-minded teammates. His contribution to Argentina's World Cup victory cannot be overstated - he was the engine that kept the team running through seven intense matches.\n\nBeyond his on-field contributions, de Paul has become an inspiration for young Argentine players. His journey from Sarandí to becoming a World Cup winner showcases the rewards of perseverance and continual development. With a net worth estimated at $10 million and annual earnings of approximately €6.67 million at \"Atlético Madrid\", he represents a success story both financially and professionally.\n\nStill in his prime at \"Atlético Madrid\", de Paul continues to influence matches at the highest level. His career trajectory sugests there may be more chapters yet to be written in his story.","stb_internal_id":"019302fe-e127-7bce-bc71-32040167a1c2","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"central-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

Rodrigo Javier de Paul is an Argentine midfielder whose technical prowess and versatility have made him a centrepiece for both his club \"Atlético Madrid\" and the Argntina national team. Standing at 178cm, the dynamic playmaker combines exceptional passing range with tireless work-rate, making him one of the most dependable engines in modern footbal. His journey from Racing Club to becoming a World Cup winner demonstrates his remarkable evolution as a player. De Paul has become renowned for his ability to dictate play from deep while also contributing in the final third when needed.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Born in Sarandí, Greater Buenos Aires, de Paul grew up in a family with Italian roots through his mother, Monica Ferrarotti. The youngest of three brothers, his early life wasn't always straightforward - his parents divorced when he was young, leaving his mother to raise him and his brothers Damian and Guido by herself.

Interestingly, young Rodrigo started his football journey as a goalkeeper! His grandfather Osvaldo recognized his potential and enrolled him at Racing Club's youth academy when he was just 8 years old back in 2002. The switch from keeping out goals to creating them proved to be a masterstroke for de Paul's career.

His talent was obvious from early on. Racing Club saw something special in the kid and nurtured his developent carefully. The midfield maestro made his professional debut for Racing in February 2013, and it didn't take long for him to make an impact - he bagged his first professional goal just a month later. His performances for Racing quickly caught the eyes of European scouts.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

After impressing at Racing Club, de Paul made the leap to Europe when \"Valencia CF\" splashed approximately US$6.5 million to secure his services in 2014. The move to Spain represented a masive step up for the young Argentine. His time at Valencia lasted two seasons, during which he adapted to the demands of European fotball.

However, it was his subsequent move to \"Udinese\" in 2016 that truly transformed his career trajectory. At Udinese, de Paul evolved from a promising talent into a genuine star of Serie A. His performances improved season after season. De Paul became such an influential figure that he was eventually handed the captain's armband, highlighting both his leadership qualities and his importance to the team. He spent 5 years with the Italian club, refining his skills and becoming one of the league's standout midfielders.

In 2021, \"Atlético Madrid\" came calling with a substantial offer of €26.68 million, securing de Paul on a five-year contract. The move to Atlético represented a significant step up, joining one of Spain's biggest clubs under the tutelage of renowned coach Diego Simeone. At Atlético, he's continued to showcase his abilities at the highest level of European competition.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

On the pitch, de Paul operates as a complete midfield package. His engine seems to never stop running - covering enormous ground over ninety minutes while maintaining technical quality throughout. The Argentine possesses exceptional stamina that allows him to contribute both defensively and offensively without compromising either aspect.

What truly sets him apart is his vision and range of passing. De Paul can pick out teammates with laser-precise long balls that switch play instantly or thread delicate through-passes that slice open defensive lines. He's equally comfortble playing as a deep-lying playmaker or in more advanced positions.

His ball control in tight spaces is remarkable. De Paul can wriggle out of pressure situations with close control and quick feet, often drawing fouls in dangerous areas. This technical security makes him invaluable for teams looking to maintain possession under pressure.

The 178cm midfielder also boasts an absolute cannon of a right foot. His long-range shooting adds another dimension to his game, forcing opponents to close him down and creating space for teammates. His set-piece delivery is consistently dangerous, whether looking to score directly or find a teammate.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

De Paul's international career with Argentina has yielded his most significant accolades. After making his debut for the Albiceleste in a 4-0 win against Iraq on October 11th, 2018, he quickly established himself as a key component in the national setup.

He was part of the Argentina squad that secured 3rd place in the Copa América 2019, but his finest hour came in the 2021 edition of the tournament. During that Copa América campaign, de Paul was instrumental in Argentina's triumph - scoring a crucial goal in the quarterfinals and providing the asist for Ángel Di María's winning goal in the final against Brazil. This victory ended Argentina's 28-year wait for a major trophy.

However, his crowning achievement came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he played an essential role in Argentina's victorious campaign. De Paul started all seven matches and was a tireless presence in midfield as Argentina secured their third World Cup title. His performances throughout the tournament showcased his importance to the team's structure and balance.

At club level, his journey from Racing to \"Atlético Madrid\" demonstrates consistent progress, with his market value peaking at €40 million in twenty-twenty-one.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

De Paul represents the modern, versatile midfielder that top teams increasingly demand. His ability to combine defensive work-rate with creative output makes him the prototype for midfielders in contemporary footbal. Coaches frequently highlight his tactical intelligence and adaptability as key attributes.

For Argentina, his partnership with Lionel Messi has been particularly significant. De Paul's willingness to do the defensive dirty work provides freedom for more attack-minded teammates. His contribution to Argentina's World Cup victory cannot be overstated - he was the engine that kept the team running through seven intense matches.

Beyond his on-field contributions, de Paul has become an inspiration for young Argentine players. His journey from Sarandí to becoming a World Cup winner showcases the rewards of perseverance and continual development. With a net worth estimated at $10 million and annual earnings of approximately €6.67 million at \"Atlético Madrid\", he represents a success story both financially and professionally.

Still in his prime at \"Atlético Madrid\", de Paul continues to influence matches at the highest level. His career trajectory sugests there may be more chapters yet to be written in his story.

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Rodrigo de Paul: Profile