For Rodrigo De Paul It wasn’t just another Friday night You love me. The triumph of Argentina national team 3-0 in a friendly against Hondurasthe first of this pre-world tour in the United States (the second will be this Tuesday against Jamaica in New Jersey), meant a very important milestone for him.

The team of Lionel Scalloni He played 34 games in a row without losing and De Paul made 32 without losing. In this way, he has surpassed an icon of Argentina like Oscar Ruggeriremained undefeated in 31 games between February 1991 and August 1993, and is the national team player with the longest unbeaten record in history.

“Great players have been through this national team and I am proud to have been able to reach this record and I hope to be able to continue to stretch it even further,” said the 28-year-old midfielder, who once again made clear that he is a fundamental piece for the Albiceleste team who is increasingly convinced that he will go to Qatar for glory.

De Paul was the one who tried the most shots, the one who won the most duels and the one who shot the most shots against Honduras. He ran like it was a duel for points, like he was playing a final at Maracana or in the middle of Wembley. For him it was the same, the only thing that changed was the platinum look, in the best Diosito style (the character of Nicolás Furtado in the series The fringe) presented for the first time on this trip.

The evolution of the steering wheel Atletico Madrid in the national team he has been constant since the Copa América 2019 until becoming the psychological and football engine of La Scalonetta. De Paul pushes and doesn’t stop pushing. But, at the same time, he plays and makes people play. He comes into contact with Leandro Paredes, with Giovani Lo Celso and, of course, in the permanent search of Lionel Messiwith which he developed a particular chemistry.

He is the protector of Leo On and off the pitch. Inseparable every time they find themselves in Argentine clothes. So much so that there are jokes about it on the networks, but that link is welcome if it pulls the basket of the national team as it has done so far.

De Paul was developing a important influence in the cycle of the Scaloni. He has become a leader on the pitch for his football. He may not yet be a reference in the locker room, which has experienced players of the stature of Angel Di María, Nicolás Otamendi and Messi himself. But what emerged in Racing marks his preponderance in this team on the pitch.

Either way, it’s also a key emotional component to her occurrences and her ever-cheerful sense of humor. A born entertainer that when it comes to putting on his boots he becomes the most serious to the point of showing his teeth to the opponent when the match demands it.

It happened in Hard Rock StadiumIn fact, after Messi tied a butt that left him lying on the ground. De Paul was the first to react and go up in smoke for the Honduran Deiby Flores. A mix of quality and courage that makes it a true albiceleste off-road vehicle.

While the Atleti del colos Simeone still aims at regularity, in the national team he assumes more responsibility and has an increasingly important role. Like the phenomenal presence of him a spaghetti in the goal of the final in Rio de Janeiro or his deployment in the Grand Final with Italy.

Match after match, Rodrigo De Paul was building his place in Argentina until he reached, with mere sacrifice, the privileged position he is in today: undisputed owner, companion of the 10 and one of the most applauded by the fans. A sporting engine that engages the center of the Scaloneta to continue with the constant march towards Qatar.

Miami, United States. Special delivery.