De Paul spent four years at Atletico, making 187 appearances in all competitions, including playing in all three group games at the FIFA Club World Cup.

He scored 14 goals during his time in the Spanish capital while registering 24 assists.

De Paul has often spoken about his admiration for Messi, famously saying, "If Messi becomes your captain, you would go to war for him if he asked you to".

The pair has played together in the national team, winning the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the Finalissima earlier that year.

However, his arrival raises questions over Sergio Busquets's future. Messi, Jordi Alba and Busquets currently hold the three Designated Player (DP) spots on Miami's roster.

Alba recently signed a new deal, with Messi expected to follow suit with his deal running out at the end of this season.

As such, that could mean that Busquets is leaving or retiring at the end of the campaign, with Miami capped in terms of the salary it can offer De Paul.