• Atlético Simeone and Messi's option: "We never spoke to him to have a minimal opportunity"

In Rodrigo de Paul's left leg (Sarandí, 1994) there is barely a millimeter free of ink. The faces of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, their dog Rocky and a boy playing soccer with the number 10 make up his museum. With his right, almost diaphanous, he draws those accurate scribbles on the back of the rival defense that few guess, and, of course, many fewer manage to complete with his precision. Flashes that had been calling the attention of Andrea Berta, who controls her country's league (Serie A) in detail. There, with the Udinese shirt, a team from the temperate zone of the classification (14th) became one of the most decisive midfielders in Europe (34 goals and 36 assists in 184 games). Last season, he left his signature with nine points and 10 passes,In other words, he participated in almost half of the 42 goals of his team. Years ago those virtues had aroused Simeone's interest in his compatriot.

Although the signing of De Paul, the most expensive in the League (

35 million

and contract until 2026), became official a month ago, his name has been around in Cholo's head for some time. A few days after winning the Copa del Rey at the

Bernabéu

, in 2013, the Atlético coach was asked about the Argentine footballers who most captivated him. "I like Correa, Vietto and De Paul," he assured without hesitation. Eight years later, Simeone, who is still in the same pulpit he held then, only with five more titles, become the coach with the most titles (eight) and victories (316) in the history of Atlético, has had the opportunity to lead to those three promises.

Vietto

(1993), as is well known, did not leave the slightest trace (three goals in 38 games), except for the four million received last autumn for his transfer to

Al Hilal

of Saudi Arabia. This is not the case of

Correa

(1995), who has a corner in the history of the entity. It was after that goal in Valladolid, on the way to the eleventh League. This season he will exceed 300 matches in rojiblanco.

And a few weeks ago, after being Argentina's compass champion of the

Copa América

(his was the decisive assist to Di María against Brazil in the final), along with Correa, along with Messi, the only one missing landed.

De Paul, who has nothing to do with that young man who tiptoed through the League with the

Valencia

shirt

(2014-16), has left in two pre-season periods (45 minutes against Cádiz and 58 against Feyenoord), after shorten your vacation a week, some good brushstrokes.

Friendship with Correa

On paper, the perfect ingredient is guessed to give a touch of extra flavor to the champion's core, where

Koke

will have by his side someone who reads and thinks very similarly. "The adaptation is not being a problem. He has arrived with great enthusiasm and knows that he has a unique opportunity to take a leap in his career," say those who have lived with him in his first days in Madrid. His friendship with Correa, also represented by

Agustín Jiménez

, who expedited the operation, has paved his way. Both had time to talk during the America's Cup, with the chewed operation.

De Paul, who has the date of his professional debut with Racing tattooed on his right arm (February 10, 2013), will wear the 5 that

Torreira

borrowed

last year,

Thomas

used for a couple of years

and

Tiago

walked with elegance

, the example to follow for anyone who wants to dignify that number.

"I see football in a very similar way to Simeone," argued the midfielder in an interview with the club. This similar panorama has allowed him to share the center of the field in this atypical preseason with

Lemar

,

Kondogbia

,

Koke

or

Herrera

and this afternoon, in Balaídos (5.30 pm), it is normal for him to play his first official minutes. "He will be an important player in transition, in his vision of the game; he has a very good stopped ball, he has a goal ... We will see if he can adapt immediately to what the team needs," Simeone pointed out yesterday. Except for Correa and

Augusto Fernández

, none of the compatriots who requested for Atlético (

Gaitán

,

Kranevitter

,

Sosa

,

Ansaldi

...) settled down.

Another challenge for De Paul, another challenge for Cholo.

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Know more

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  • Atlético de Madrid

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