There are certain players who are suitable for certain clubs.
It has to do with the character of the player and the identity of the club, a bit like the matchmaking in "Signature" before discovering that it won't really work.
In this context, it seems that today there is no player who is more suitable for his club than Rodrigo de Paul for Atletico Madrid.
He is a tattooed, nailed, aggressive and maniac Argentine in the sporty sense of the word, and is Diego Simeone's team for all that that implies.
How well they fit together testifies to the way they came into each other's arms: "He called me and told me that Atletico is the only team he wants to play for," Simeone said this summer on the phone call he received from Mada Paul.
"So I told him we'll see each other in 20 days, and here he is."
In the full story, the chase was a little more reciprocal.
De Paul did really want to come, and Atletico were willing to pay Udinese 35 million euros, which made the 27-year-old Argentine the most expensive acquisition this year in the Spanish league.
In the summer when the teams kept their wallets closed due to the economic crisis, the Spanish champion saw the energy connection as an asset that she must not give up at any cost.
Simeone sought to add strength and assertiveness in midfield in an attempt to retain the championship title - Welda Paul had the required qualities.
"He has developed a lot during his time at Udinese, and he has things that can add to the Coca, Herrera and Thomas Lamar that are here," the coach explained.
"He is a player who knows how to build attacks, control the pace of the game and free up territory for extremists and strikers."
There is no doubt that Field Paul is a professional upgrade for Atletico, and there is no doubt he could be much more.
Second only to Messi
Already when Atletico acquired him in July, de Paul was a cult figure in Argentina.
A few days before the signing he was one of the stars of winning the Copa America, when he cooked in the final against Brazil the winning goal of Angel Di Maria, and in the months since then he has only strengthened his status as an idol of all species.
From a big promise that started in racing, failed in Valencia and spent five stable years in Udinese, the midfielder became the best Argentine player in 2021 among the human.
In terms of numbers, he led the team in everything that Messi did not - kidnappings, dedication, successful struggles and so on - and in terms of image, he became the face of Argentina in terms of style and character.
Since making his debut in October 2018 he has partnered in 37 games, of which the Albiceleste have lost just two.
His two best games were against Brazil this year - in the cup final and qualifiers, where he looked the Brazilians in the white of the eyes as few Argentines have done in recent years.
"He's amazing, amazing, a huge player," Messi complimented.
"He's an abnormal demon," added stopper Christian Romero.
De Paul.
Hero in Argentina, Photo: AP,
Find the place
At Atletico, this de Paul's greatness is still a rumor.
Like quite a few Argentina players, he is still unable to recover the ability from the national team uniform, and towards the end of November his balance at Atletico stands at zero goals and only two assists.
At the beginning of the season he did not really find his place within Simeone's lineup, but in recent weeks he is starting to restore some of the team's ability.
In the 0: 3 victory against Betis he was excellent, and as of today he leads the league with precise dedication in the opponent’s half, with 81%.
While the championship battle is still long, and Atletico can wait a little longer until the arrival of Argentina's de Paul, in the Champions League they need it here and now, and already tonight against AC Milan.
"I'm sure he will show up, because he's a player who constantly wants to get better," Simeone recently stated.
On paper there are all the conditions for this to happen, the De Paul and Atletico mountains fit together like a glove.
It feels like they are this couple that can really turn into a successful love story.
