Oscar Ustari Joins Inter Miami Filling a Key Gap in the Roster

If you’re thinking a veteran goalkeeper like Oscar Ustari, at 38 and with a few standout moments under his belt, won’t make much of a difference to a team that already has Lionel Messi, you might want to rethink things. Ustari’s arrival at Inter Miami may seem like a quiet move on the surface, but if you take a closer look, it carries a certain symbolism as the season reaches its critical phase.

Inter Miami has already secured their spot in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs and is riding high on confidence. But with CJ dos Santos sidelined due to injury and young Cole Jensen still gaining experience, signing Ustari brings that extra layer of security the team desperately needs.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

When we talk about Ustari, we’re not just talking about some random name. This guy has played for heavyweights in Argentina, Spain, England, and Mexico. With 396 professional matches under his belt and a deep history with Messi that goes beyond MLS fields, this is no ordinary goalkeeper joining the squad. They played together in the 2008 Olympics and even the 2006 World Cup. It’s not just another keeper arriving; it's a player who knows the man every eye is on when the ball’s at Messi’s feet for Inter Miami.

Whether it’s in the locker room or out on the field, Ustari knows what Messi needs. And in a league like MLS, where big international stars don’t always adapt easily, that connection could be game-changing. It’s not an exaggeration to say their bond and mutual trust could make all the difference, especially when the stakes get high.

There’s one thing no one really talks about but everyone feels: the uneasiness of having a rookie or stand-in goalkeeper in a team gunning for a title. That’s been Inter Miami’s situation. Is Drake Callender good? No doubt. He’s the starter and he’s been holding his own. But in a long competition like MLS, you need more than just one reliable keeper. With CJ dos Santos out and Jensen not quite ready, the options were thinning. Enter Ustari.

And when we’re talking about seasoned goalkeepers, there’s something more that goes beyond the saves themselves: presence. Ustari brings a calmness, a reading of the game that only someone who’s been around the block can provide. He’s seen it all. From Independiente in Argentina to Sunderland in England, this guy has felt the pressure of standing between the posts in big moments. And that’s exactly the kind of ice-cold composure Inter Miami’s going to need come playoff time.

We can’t ignore the Messi factor. Any team with Lionel Messi is automatically elevated to another level, and expectations shoot through the roof. But here’s the thing: like anyone else, Messi’s human. And while he may be the best in the world, even he needs a comfortable environment, surrounded by people he trusts and knows. When Ustari talks about reconnecting with Messi and contributing “wherever necessary,” he’s not just tossing out empty words. Their connection could be the steadying force that allows Messi to play even more freely and comfortably.

If you doubt the importance of a tight-knit locker room, built on trust between the players, just think of all the great teams that’ve crumbled without that emotional foundation. And if Inter Miami really wants to be that team that leaves its mark on MLS history, then beyond Messi, they’re going to need a rock-solid structure behind him. Ustari is also a leader, one who can strengthen this group both on and off the field.

The timing of this signing couldn’t be more perfect. Inter Miami’s battling for the Supporters' Shield and dreaming of setting a points record in a single season. This is the moment to push hard, and Ustari arrives just as things are getting serious. More than just another signing, he could be the guy who brings the emotional and tactical stability the team needs to face the tense moments ahead.

With CJ dos Santos on the mend and Jensen still developing with Inter Miami CF II, Ustari becomes the insurance policy that ensures the team won’t be left unprotected. And let’s face it, being a goalkeeper is one of the toughest gigs in soccer. When no one’s talking about you, it’s because you’re doing your job well. Ustari’s got everything it takes to be that quiet, effective, and reliable guy.