MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Inter Miami took to the international stage of the Club World Cup on Saturday night, and while expectations were high for the Argentine talents, it wasn’t the famous Lionel Messi who stole the show. Oscar Ustari, the team’s goalkeeper, emerged as the key player during the opening match against Egypt’s Al Ahly.
Ustari was instrumental in maintaining a clean sheet, making a total of eight crucial saves throughout the match. Notably, he stopped a powerful penalty kick from Trezeguet just before halftime, as well as intercepting a goal-bound header in the 33rd minute. His decisive actions ensured that the match ended in a scoreless tie for the Group A clash.
The 38-year-old Ustari is no stranger to big stages, having previously showcased his skills during the U-20 World Cup in 2005 alongside Messi, who is now his teammate at Inter Miami. Prior to his tenure with Inter Miami, Ustari was the captain of Pachuca, which participates in the tournament but was embroiled in controversy due to ownership issues with Club León. Despite the challenges, Ustari’s career saw him make 124 appearances with Pachuca before a brief stint in Chile with Audax Italiano. In 2024, he joined Inter Miami as a free agent, having made 22 appearances to date, including his participation in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Reflecting on his performance, Ustari humbly emphasized the collective defensive efforts of the team. “I don’t like to talk about myself. The team did a great job defensively and that is what I most care about,” he remarked. He added, “I remember being retired and knew that my return would come on a field, so I’m very happy about it. I thought we were superior, that’s what I think. The game left me with good feelings, but our next rival is very different.”
Luis Suárez, a forward for Inter Miami, also recognized the pivotal role Ustari played. “We didn’t think their keeper would make so many saves, he was the key player in the game along with Oscar in the first half, but that shows that goalkeepers can earn you points as well,” Suárez commented.
Inter Miami now looks ahead to the challenges that await in their upcoming matches in the tournament, encouraged by the competence and resilience demonstrated by their Argentine goalkeeper. With the backing of experienced players such as Ustari, Inter Miami hopes to continue making strides on the global stage.