Rodrigo De Paul Stats: Argentina’s Midfield Workhorse

Nobody embodies Argentina’s relentless midfield quite like Rodrigo De Paul. The Rodrigo De Paul stats at the World Cup 2026 show the man long dubbed Lionel Messi’s “bodyguard” has featured in six games as the holders reached the final — now his club team-mate at Inter Miami as well as his international ally. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.

Rodrigo De Paul stats at a glance

Who is Rodrigo De Paul?

Rodrigo De Paul is a central midfielder for Inter Miami and Argentina, the tireless runner who does the dirty work that lets Argentina’s stars shine. Born in May 1994, the 32-year-old made his name at Udinese and spent four seasons at Atlético Madrid before joining Inter Miami in 2025, linking up with Messi at club level. He was central to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph — famously cast as Messi’s on-pitch “bodyguard” — and has also won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.

Rodrigo De Paul at the World Cup 2026

De Paul has been a near-constant in the engine room, mixing starts with an impact role off the bench. Here is how his tournament has unfolded.

• Argentina 3-0 Algeria (group stage, June 17): Started and played 90 minutes in a comfortable opening win.
• Argentina 2-0 Austria (group stage, June 22): 82 minutes in the engine room as Argentina made it two from two.
• Jordan 1-3 Argentina (group stage, June 28): Rested as Argentina rotated and still won 3-1.
• Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (Round of 32, July 3): 84 minutes as Argentina edged through after extra time.
• Argentina 3-2 Egypt (Round of 16, July 7): 66 minutes in the comeback from 2-0 down.
• Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (quarter-final, July 12): 85 minutes as Argentina advanced after extra time.
• England 1-2 Argentina (semi-final, July 15): Off the bench to help see out a place in the final.

No goals, but the same relentless energy that has defined his Argentina career, driving the holders to the final under Lionel Scaloni alongside Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, and in service of Lionel Messi. See where Argentina sit in our who will win the World Cup 2026 guide and how the knockouts look in our World Cup 2026 bracket.

Argentina’s midfield heartbeat

All running, pressing and covering, Rodrigo De Paul does the work that never shows up in the highlights — and Argentina will need every yard of it in the final.

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