“I didn’t catch another ball” - Inter Miami’s new goalkeeper Oscar Ustari opens up on how Lionel Messi reacted to him saving Argentine’s shot
Inter Miami's new goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has revealed how Lionel Messi reacted when he saved the legendary playmaker's shot during a training session. The goalkeeper notably played alongside Messi in the Argentina national team.
However, they have reunited at Inter Miami, where 38-year-old Ustari will play as a second-choice goalkeeper behind Drake Callender. Ustari revealed how Messi reacted to him saving a shot, telling Fox Sports (via BolaVIP):
“In one of the training sessions we had with Leo, we did some finishing drills, and I guessed one of his shots. I stepped out early and saved it. ‘Oh, you guessed me?’, he said. I didn’t save another shot the whole morning. I didn’t catch another ball."
Notably, Ustari was called up to the Albiceleste's under-20 squad in 2005, where Messi had already started playing a year earlier. The Argentine legend eventually got into the main national squad later that year, with Ustari getting his own call-up in 2007.
The goalkeeper's national team career came to an end in 2012, while Lionel Messi's has continued ever since. The Inter Miami superstar has won three trophies in three years with Argentina, including the World Cup and two Copa America trophies.
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino speaks about Lionel Messi's performance against Columbus Crew after clinching Supporters' Shield
Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has spoken with delight about Lionel Messi's performance against Columbus Crew. The Herons traveled to Lower.com Field on October 2, where they beat Columbus 3-2 in the MLS to clinch the Supporters' Shield.
A pleased Tata Martino had his press conference afterward, where he said (via intermiami.news):
“Leo [Messi] was the game changer, but we had strange goals in this game.
“We had good stretches, we suffered at times, but we were able to meet our objective. Our goal is to get to December 7 [MLS Cup final], we would like to play in the Club World Cup, and we are justifying why we could go.
“Not just because of the names on our roster, but because of how we’re playing. It would be more just and mean more if we earn it, and this Supporters’ Shield was very important for us.”
Lionel Messi was indeed the best player on the pitch against Columbus Crew, as he finished the night with two goals to his name. He scored the first (45') and second goal (45 +5') to put Inter Miami ahead. Columbus pulled one back in the 46th minute, but Luis Suarez scored to give Miami more hope. A penalty from Cucho Hernandez (61') eventually saw the game end 3-2.