Lionel Messi reunites with team-mate after 16 years as Beckham seals transfer (original) (raw)
Lionel Messi has been reunited with his former team-mate Oscar Ustari, who won gold with him at the Beijing Olympics, after the goalkeeper signed for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi has been reunited with Oscar Ustari at Inter Miami
Former Argentina goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has been reunited with Lionel Messi after he signed for Inter Miami.
Ustari and Messi were part of the Argentina side that won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the pair will be team-mates once again at Inter Miami, with the veteran goalkeeper "very happy" to be linking up with his compatriot.
"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 told club media. "I'm also very happy to reunite with Leo 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 has joined the club as short-term cover for Drake Callender after CJ dos Santos underwent surgery on his left hand.
"We're pleased to incorporate an experienced player like Oscar to add depth to our goalkeeping group for the remainder of the season," Inter Miami's chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson added.
"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."
Inter Miami, who are owned by David Beckham, are currently top of the MLS Eastern Conference and boast a squad containing Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. "The four of them are very different," Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino told the Athletic when asked about the Barcelona legends.
"One of them may send a (verbal) message during a specific moment. The other does it from a footballing perspective. Another one of them will use his personality to do so. But when you see how they compete in a small-sided drill, that has a lasting impact on the rest of the group, especially the younger players who didn't know that level of competition until they're living it first hand.
"Those players have to gain confidence to express themselves. It's a massive weight to carry when you see these players play but you’re still at a certain point in your life. But these guys are approachable. They'll talk to you and give you advice.
"They'll correct you tactically during a game. That's how a young player learns. They begin to lose that fear, they loosen up, gain confidence and everything begins to work and flow much differently."
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