Who is Oscar Ustari? Meet Inter Miami’s unsung Argentine hero of the Club World Cup

On a night when all eyes were on Lionel Messi, it was another Argentine who emerged as the unexpected hero for Inter Miami. Veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari stole the spotlight in the Club World Cup opener against Egypt’s Al Ahly, delivering a match-winning performance that kept Miami alive in Group A.

The 38-year-old made a staggering eight saves, including a crucial penalty stop and a point-blank header denial, as the game ended 0–0. Ustari’s remarkable reflexes, especially against Trezeguet’s penalty rebound, ensured Inter Miami walked away with a hard-earned point. “The team did a great job defensively, and that’s what I most care about,” Ustari humbly said post-match.

Ustari’s journey back to a world stage is nothing short of cinematic. Once Messi’s teammate on Argentina’s victorious 2005 U-20 World Cup squad, Ustari’s career has taken him across Spain, England, Mexico, and South America. Most recently, he captained Pachuca to a Liga MX title before joining Inter Miami as a free agent in 2024. He has since made over 20 appearances, including in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.


His experience and leadership were on full display against Al Ahly. Inter forward Luis Suárez summed it up best: “We didn’t think their keeper would make so many saves. He was the key player.”

Before arriving in Miami, Ustari also played for clubs like Independiente, Getafe, Boca Juniors, and Sunderland. In Mexico, he enjoyed a successful spell with Pachuca, winning the 2022 Apertura and wearing the captain’s armband. He briefly joined Chilean side Audax Italiano before making the switch to MLS.

Internationally, Ustari was a part of Argentina’s 2006 World Cup squad (as an unused player), earned his first senior cap in 2007, and helped win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His international career was unfortunately disrupted by a foot injury in the Olympic quarterfinals.

Now, nearly two decades since he was heralded as one of Argentina’s brightest young keepers, Ustari is writing a new chapter — one where he shines on the global stage once again. And this time, not in Messi’s shadow, but right beside him.