No Taylor Twellman, not all MLS clubs could've made Rodrigo De Paul deal | OneFootball

It's fair to say that Rodrigo De Paul's imminent arrival at Inter Miami has caused a bit of a stir among MLS fanbases online.

The combative midfielder is set to link up with Argentina teammate Lionel Messi on a loan deal until the end of 2025, with Miami agreeing a $15 million obligation to make the move permanent on a 4-year contract thereafter.

Given that the 31-year-old still commands a hefty wage of $120,000 a week at current club Atlético Madrid, such a deal involved some heavy lifting from Miami's front office.

With Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets, the South Florida side has already filled its three Designated Player spots for the season. However, as all three contracts are set to expire at the end of 2025 and Busquets rumored to be considering retirement, De Paul will only be made a DP upon joining permanently.

For the initial loan to be sanctioned under MLS salary rules, Atléti are reportedly covering 90% of De Paul's wage.

Uncertainty over roster rules causing confusion (again)

Lead MLS analyst on Apple TV, Taylor Twellman, was recently keen to praise Miami's ambition on social media.

"I love every second of Miami pushing the boundaries of the MLS salary cap and roster rules because that means others can do the same if they please," he said.

Let's be clear, Miami is not breaking the rules with this transfer. But, equally, no other MLS side could've pulled it off.

If not for Messi, with whom he is good friends, De Paul would not be moving to Miami, let alone any other MLS side. The same could easily be said for Alba, Busquets, and all the other expensive South American youngsters who have arrived in South Florida to play alongside their idol.

But, more worryingly, MLS has seemed far more receptive to helping maximise Miami's roster-building opportunities than it has for any other club of late.

Fans of Columbus Crew will point to the summer of 2023, the very time Messi's move was announced. Because the league refused to allow Darlington Nagbe's contract to be bought down, the Crew were forced into selling star midfielder Lucas Zelarayán.

This year, even, the LA Galaxy saw of number of key players depart to comply with roster restrictions. It's fair to say the Galaxy would not have endured such a dismal start to 2025 if they could still call on the likes of Dejan Joveljić and Gastón Brugman.

You can certainly appreciate why these fans feel wronged, especially given Miami escaped with just a slap on the wrist following its well-publicized rule-breaking in the acquisition of Blaise Matuidi from Juventus in 2020.

Exposes major shortcoming in Messi-era MLS

Messi's move to MLS should've revolutionized soccer in the United States, both at the grassroots level and on the global stage.

Given the meager ratings on Apple TV and the performances of Miami, Seattle Sounders, and LAFC during this summer's FIFA Club World Cup, it seems neither has happened in the way league commissioner Don Garber would've wanted.

In comparison, Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal made it all the way to the final eight of the Club World Cup, even defeating English giants Manchester City en route.

It's remarkable how alike Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Al Nassr in December 2022 is to that of his former rival. Two aging global superstars seeking to end their illustrious careers in less physically punishing leagues, both players being followed in their wake by a number of their fellow global superstars, and both league organizations ultimately being in control of all their franchises.

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But the Saudi Pro League hasn't tried to hide its aim to create globally recognizable super clubs, with the national government buying controlling interest in the league's four traditional powers, including Al Ahly, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.

By contrast, MLS has continued to insist its rules are directed at creating leaguewide parity, while asking fans not to pay attention to its efforts to subvert those rules in the most visible markets.

The only way forward

Whether MLS truly wants to be a league of parity or whether it wants to foster an SPL-like landscape, the worst avenue for long-term growth is trying to serve both masters.

In a reply to his original post, Twellman hinted at his belief that the salary cap should be made a thing of the past.

Even with the current roster restrictions, it is clear that 'parity' can often have different definitions for different MLS clubs.

Surely, ditching the salary cap is the best way to ensure maximum parity going forward. If owners want to spend, let them spend. The majority of them have the money to do so, but if even a handful refuses to open their wallets, increased competition and profitability will only attract new owners to take their place.