The competition for a place in Atlético de Madrid's starting eleven has intensified, and Rodrigo De Paul seems to have made his mark. In Argentina's recent victory, the midfielder was the star of the show, making it clear that he is at an exceptional level. This stellar performance sends a strong message, not only to his coach, but also to his teammate and direct competitor in the midfield, Conor Gallagher.
De Paul's performance with Argentina
Rodrigo De Paul's performance against Chile was a true demonstration of why he remains one of the most important players, both for his national team and for Atlético de Madrid. In the match, De Paul showed his full repertoire: energy, dedication, sacrifice and a unique ability to generate offensive play. He was the driving force of Scaloni's team, actively participating in the defensive phase, but also leading the attacking plays with remarkable tactical intelligence.
De Paul started the play that ended in the first goal of the match, contributing to his team's victory. His statistics for the match speak for themselves: player with the most touches (108), most recoveries (8), and who created the most goal-scoring opportunities (5). He also stood out for the number of passes in the opponent's half (44), touches in the final third of the field (8) and accuracy in long passes (8 out of 8). A performance that left everyone present at the Monumental impressed and that did not go unnoticed by Simeone.
Simeone has a dilemma in midfield
De Paul's performance has put Simeone in a difficult situation. Since the arrival of Conor Gallagher, the Argentine coach has sought to balance his midfield, rotating his players. Gallagher, signed from Chelsea, is a promising player with great potential, but his first few weeks at Atlético have not been easy. Adapting to Simeone's playing system and competing for a place in a team as competitive as the red-and-white team takes time.
Gallagher knows that he has one of the most complete midfielders in world football in front of him. De Paul not only stands out for his versatility, but also for his ability to be decisive at key moments. This level of demand within the Atlético de Madrid squad is what keeps the team fighting at the top of the competitions.
A clear message to Simeone
Rodrigo De Paul, with his performance for the national team, has sent a direct message to Simeone: he is ready to be an undisputed starter. His ability to perform in the most important moments, whether for the national team or at Atlético de Madrid, is something that "Cholo" deeply values. Simeone has always opted for committed players, capable of giving everything on the field, and De Paul perfectly embodies that spirit.
It is not just his technical ability that makes him stand out, but his character and leadership. In Argentina's victory, he was one of the most applauded by the fans, which demonstrates his connection with the public and his importance in the team. This same energy is what Simeone is looking to bring to Atlético, where De Paul seems to be gaining an increasingly solid place.