A man with platinum blonde hair and tattoos on his arms, wearing a blue sleeveless T-shirt with the Atlético de Madrid crest, appears to be concentrating or tired.

Rodrigo de Paul and a last chance at the Metropolitano: Simeone is keeping a close eye on him

The 2022 Qatar world champion must take a step forward this season if he wants to be the leader expected of him

One of the players who has generated the most mixed opinions in recent years at Atlético de Madrid is Rodrigo de Paul. The Argentine midfielder has always shown a very inconsistent level on the pitch, being much better with his national team. Now, facing his fourth season at the red-and-white team, everyone hopes that this will be the year in which he can take a step forward.

The former Udinese player could be one of the best players in his position, although he needs more continuity. Last season was probably the season in which he played his best in the red and white shirt , but it was not enough. Now, in a year where Simeone will have many players in the engine room, he will have to show his best version on the pitch.

Rodrigo de Paul's moment

There is hardly anyone who can deny that the world champion has many skills that are very useful for Atlético de Madrid . Both at Udinese and in the Argentina national team , Rodrigo de Paul has been seen as a much more prominent figure . Precisely, what the red-and-white team has been asking of him for some time is that he can be a leader for the rest of the dressing room.

Two men in sports shirts hug each other, one of them is smiling and has blond hair and tattoos on his arms.
Julian Alvarez with Rodrigo de Paul | @Atleti

Due to his quality and work, he has absolutely everything in his favour to be one of the best players in the world for the midfield. This season should be the definitive one for Rodrigo de Paul , who landed in the capital of Spain in 2021. Simeone will have numerous pieces for the engine room, adding the more than possible signing of Conor Gallagher .

The English international would be perfect to force the Argentine to show a better level on a more regular basis. In some specific games, we have been able to see that Rodrigo de Paul who has so often amazed with the Albiceleste shirt. If he wants to continue being as important for Simeone , the only option left for him is to work hard and become that benchmark that has been waiting for so long.

Atlético de Madrid, just like at home

On many occasions, Rodrigo de Paul has been accused of showing more commitment when he has had to compete with his country's shirt. Now, with the arrival of Julián Álvarez to the Metropolitano , the Argentine will have a large number of compatriots in the locker room. You could practically say that Rodrigo de Paul will feel as if he were in a normal training camp of the Argentine national team .

The only thing left for him to do is to transfer the work and sacrifice he shows with the Albiceleste to his games with Atlético de Madrid. Right now, other players like Pablo Barrios and Arthur Vermeeren are waiting for their chance to be more prominent and take their place. Rodrigo de Paul only needs to take a step forward if he doesn't want to have to start from scratch once again.