It’s official: Former Messi teammate Oscar Ustari joins Inter Miami as backup goalkeeper

Lionel Messi is back in training after a long injury layoff, might make his return Saturday at home against the Philadelphia Union, and another former teammate just joined the Inter Miami roster as the Supporters Shield leaders prepare for the final stretch of the season and the MLS playoffs.

The club announced Monday the signing of 38-year-old Argentine goalkeeper Oscar Ustari for the remainder of the season, confirming reports in the Miami Herald and other outlets last Friday. Ustari, who will occupy an international roster slot, adds depth to the team and replaces CJ dos Santos, who was Miami’s reserve keeper, but recently underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand.

Ustari was a free agent after being released by Chilean first-division team Audaz Italiano.

Messi and Ustari go way back to their days on Argentina youth teams. They played together on the team that won the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands in 2005. Messi was the top scorer. They also were teammates on Argentina’s Under-23 team that won gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and on Argentina’s 2006 World Cup team.

“I’m excited to join a club like Inter Miami and grateful for the opportunity to be part of this great institution that aspires to achieve big things,” Ustari said. “I’m also very happy to reunite with Leo [Messi] in the locker room and on the field after such a long time. I’m ready to help and contribute my experience to the team at all times, wherever I’m needed, to achieve both collective and personal goals.”

Ustari joins the Club after playing 390 games across Europe, South America and Mexico, including stints with Getafe CF (Spain), Sunderland AFC (England), and Club Atlético Boca Juniors (Argentina). He made 12 appearances in the UEFA Europa League, and over 40 in LaLiga (Spanish First Division).

“We’re pleased to incorporate an experienced player like Oscar to add depth to our goalkeeping group for the remainder of the season,” said chief soccer officer Chris Henderson. “His addition will be key during this final stretch of the campaign as CJ dos Santos is currently recovering from an injury and Cole Jensen continues to develop, gaining professional experience with Inter Miami CF II in MLS NEXT Pro.”

The Buenos Aires native began his career developing at the youth ranks at Club Atlético Independiente before going on to make his professional debut with the first team in 2005. He then signed with Getafe CF, where he played more than 70 games in various competitions including UEFA Europa League and Copa del Rey. Ustari continued his career with a move back to Argentina, this time for Boca Juniors and led the team to an Argentinian Cup title in the 2011-12 season.

He moved around from UD Almería (Spain) to Sunderland AFC (England), Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina), Atlas F.C. (Mexico), and Liverpool F.C. (Uruguay). In 2020, he joined Liga MX side CF Pachuca where he kept 40 clean sheets and made 142 appearances in over three years with Los Tuzos and helped the team win the Liga MX Apertura 2022 title.

Inter Miami has already clinched a playoff spot with seven games remaining in the regular season. Miami has the league’s best record with 18 wins, four losses and five draws for 59 points, which is eight points ahead of second-place Cincinnati in the East and six points ahead of Western Conference leader Los Angeles Galaxy.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are available at TicketMaster and secondary online ticket outlets.