Rodrigo De Paul just scored the title-clinching goal for Inter Miami in the 2025 MLS Cup final against Vancouver Whitecaps. Hours before that victory, he was preparing for Argentina’s World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16, 2026, playing alongside Lionel Messi at the tournament.
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What most US soccer fans don’t know is that his personal life mirrors his on-field stability. He has two children from a previous relationship, is planning a wedding with a major Latin American pop star, and has accumulated a net worth that most young footballers never reach.
This article covers five facts about his family and finances that mainstream coverage leaves out.
Tini Stoessel Is Planning a 2026 Wedding in Ibiza, Not Married Yet
Tini Stoessel confirmed in March 2026 that she and De Paul plan to marry. When a Paraguayan TV host asked directly about wedding timing, she smiled and said, “It’s possible—we really want to get married” by the end of 2026.
The couple started dating in late 2021 after De Paul followed Tini on Instagram and they exchanged direct messages. They went public in June 2022. By August 2023, they announced a separation but reconnected in early 2025 without fanfare. Sources report the wedding is planned for Ibiza in summer 2026, though no official date has been set.
Tini is 28 years old and rose to fame as the lead actress in Disney’s “Violetta,” a musical series that aired from 2012 to 2015. She transitioned to music, releasing chart-topping albums in Spanish and English. She toured across Latin America and Europe, collaborated with major Latin artists, and maintains over 21 million Instagram followers.
De Paul Shares Two Children With Ex-Partner Camila Homs, Not With Tini
Francesca and Bautista are De Paul’s biological children. Francesca is now around 7 years old, and Bautista is around 5. Both were born during De Paul’s 12-year relationship with Argentine model Camila Homs, which ended in early 2022.
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The split became public amid significant media drama. Homs sued for child support and division of assets, leading to leaked WhatsApp conversations where both hurled insults. Homs’ father reportedly sent audio threats to De Paul, a detail that circulated through Argentine media outlets.
De Paul is actively involved in raising both children despite his career demands. He was pictured walking with them when Inter Miami officially introduced him before a match in July 2025, and he frequently shares photos with them on social media. Neither child attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to the custody complications, which became a point of contention in Argentine media coverage.
De Paul’s Net Worth Sits Around $31 Million, Driven by His Atlético Madrid Contract and Inter Miami Move
De Paul signed a 4-year deal with Inter Miami in December 2025 after spending six months on loan. His 2026 salary at Inter Miami is $7.57 million annually, or roughly $145,000 per week. That figure does not include sponsorship deals, which add additional income.
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At Atlético Madrid before the move, he earned approximately $6.3 million per year, with bonuses potentially bringing that to $7.3 million. His purchase price from Madrid to Miami was roughly €15 million (about $17.4 million). The deal includes a purchase obligation that Inter Miami exercised in December 2025.
His career path shows disciplined financial growth. He played for Racing Club in Argentina, then Valencia, then Udinese in Italy, then Atlético Madrid. Each step increased his market value and salary. His Wikipedia-verified net worth estimate stands at $31 million, placing him among the wealthier young footballers in the world.
De Paul Became Messi’s Closest Confidant and Earned the Nickname “Bodyguard” During the 2022 World Cup
De Paul has said that his friendship with Messi began unexpectedly. In 2019, during Argentina’s national team camp, he mistakenly sat in Messi’s seat on the team bus in Madrid. Instead of anger, a conversation started that grew into deep trust.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, international media and Argentine commentators gave De Paul the nickname “Bodyguard” because of how attentively he watched Messi during matches and protected the ball for him. The two won together that year and again at Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
When De Paul joined Inter Miami in July 2025, he publicly stated that playing with Messi at club level had been a longtime dream. “Every time we met at the national team, the day-to-day was amazing,” he told reporters, “but it was quite short. I wanted to feel that sensation of playing alongside the best.” De Paul has also said about Messi: “If Messi becomes your captain, you would go to war for him if he asked you to.” That quote has circulated widely in sports media and captures how their relationship transcends typical teammate dynamics.
He Made Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup Historic, Then Committed to Stay Through 2029
In June 2025, Inter Miami made the deal permanent. De Paul signed a 4-year contract as a Designated Player, matching Messi’s roster status. That move signaled the club’s long-term vision beyond the 2026 World Cup.
During Inter Miami’s 2025 playoff run, De Paul started all six matches and scored the title-winning goal in the MLS Cup final against Vancouver. His midfield work stabilized the team and allowed Messi and Luis Suárez to focus on attack. Head coach Javier Mascherano relied on him heavily because of his tempo control and defensive positioning.
Before joining Inter Miami, De Paul had played nearly 500 professional matches across four clubs. The move to MLS represented a shift toward lifestyle and continuity rather than purely chasing prestige. His public statements emphasize that reuniting with Messi and securing a long-term role outweighed offers from other European clubs.
