Argentine star Rodrigo De Paul, midfielder for Inter Miami, sparked a wide wave of controversy in global sports circles after making fiery statements comparing the level of competitiveness in the American Football League (MLS) with the European Champions League, which is considered the oldest and strongest club tournament in the world.
In an interview published by the Spanish newspaper Marca, the World Cup winner surprised fans by saying, "I think winning the MLS is harder than winning the Champions League." This statement did not go unnoticed; it sparked a debate about the development of football in North America and the fundamental differences between the football systems of the two continents.
Competition system: The key to difficulty
De Paul based his opinion on the complex structure of the MLS system. The Argentine international explained that the difficulty lies in maintaining a high level of competitiveness throughout the long and arduous regular season, which requires extensive travel between states, with the real test coming in the playoffs.
De Paul believes that the single-elimination format in some stages of the MLS puts players under immense pressure, as any small mistake could mean the end of the season for the entire team. In contrast, he pointed out that the Champions League, despite its high level of competition, offers teams a chance to recover through its two-legged knockout stage format, in addition to a group stage that allows for early setbacks – a margin for error that may not be as readily available in the crucial stages of the MLS.
Inter Miami Project and Stars Gathering
De Paul's comments come at a time when Major League Soccer (MLS) is experiencing unprecedented growth, particularly with the Inter Miami project, which has successfully brought together football legends. De Paul's presence alongside his compatriot Lionel Messi and other former Barcelona stars has significantly boosted the league's market and technical value, making it a global focus of attention and intensifying the competition among American clubs, all vying to dethrone this star-studded lineup.
De Paul's numbers and career in America
Returning to the details of his transfer, De Paul joined Inter Miami at the beginning of 2025 on loan from Atletico Madrid, before the American club decided to activate the final purchase clause last December, making him a key pillar in the midfield.
Since arriving in the United States, the Argentine "warrior" has proven his worth, participating in 27 official matches, during which he contributed effectively to both attack and defense, scoring two goals and creating seven goals for his teammates, culminating his great effort by winning the American league title, adding a new achievement to his golden career, the most prominent of which is the World Cup with the Tango team.
