Soccer-Inter Miami goalkeeper Ustari credits Messi for making things easy
June 19 - Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari credited Lionel Messi's presence for helping him settle in at the club after joining the team last September, having played alongside the Argentine great since youth level.
Ustari, who put in a stellar performance as the Major League Soccer side kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly on Saturday, joined Inter Miami two months after his contract with Chilean team Audax Italiano expired.
He said the decision to reunite with Messi was influenced by the club's ambitions and his long-standing friendship with his Argentine compatriot.
"I wasn't retired. I joined ... because I was attracted by the club's aspirations," the 38-year-old Ustari told Reuters in an interview.
"And obviously by sharing a squad with Leo again. And of course, Leo's presence on the team made everything easier."
Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, earned a spot in the expanded Club World Cup after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield.
Ustari said he was delighted to be playing in the tournament after a career, which included stints in Spain, England, Mexico and Uruguay.
"Having the opportunity to play in a Club World Cup made us all very happy, especially in my case, given that I'm someone who has had an extensive career," he said. "It's a reward for how well Inter Miami is doing things."
While the world eagerly anticipated seeing Messi and Luis Suarez in the opening match of the tournament, it was Ustari who stole the spotlight and was named 'Superior Player of the Match', after saving a penalty and blocking eight shots.
He said, however, that the credit belonged to his teammates.
"We were all part of that award for best player. Maybe saving a penalty gave me the opportunity to receive it, but there were some very high points from my teammates who could have also been awarded it," he said.
Ustari and Messi have shared a close friendship since playing together for Argentina's youth teams over two decades ago, a bond that extended into their senior team careers.
They were in the same Argentina squad that won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and clinched gold together at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Reflecting on their time together, Ustari said: "My memories with Leo are from youth training camps, the senior team, the titles we won, training sessions, etc."
He added that Messi's personality has remained unchanged, describing him as "affectionate, respectful, and always competitive."
"Because of who he is, he's achieved everything, and that's why he's the best player in the history of this sport."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Brazilian flair trumps European complacency as Flamengo humble Chelsea
By Fernando Kallas HT Image PHILADELPHIA, - Flamengo delivered a potent reminder that the so-called superiority of European teams in club football is fading quickly after the Brazilian outfit beat Chelsea 3-1 in a Club World Cup contest that felt like a home match thousands of miles from Rio. The Brazilian champions turned Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field into a tropical carnival, with 55,000 passionate supporters creating an atmosphere that was in stark contrast to Chelsea's casual approach to the tournament. Just 24 hours after Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the competition had "a pre-season feeling" to it and that he would rotate key starters throughout the group stage, his side became the second European giants in two days to be humbled by Brazilian opposition. Friday's result followed Paris St Germain's shock 1-0 defeat by Botafogo a day earlier that had ended Europe's 13-year dominance over South American opposition in intercontinental club football. Pedro Neto's opener for Chelsea proved to be a false start as they were given the run around following the interval. Flamengo, under the tactical guidance of former Blues defender Filipe Luis, responded with a ruthlessness that their theoretically superior rivals could not match. Bruno Henrique and Danilo struck in quick succession to flip the contest, before Nicolas Jackson's reckless red card – for a studs-up challenge that illustrated Chelsea's loss of composure – paved the way for youngster Wallace Yan to deliver the coup de grace. "When we conceded the first goal their fans started to be loud, and immediately after we conceded the second one," Chelsea's Marc Cucurella told DAZN, his words revealing the psychological impact of Flamengo's thunderous support. Following Yan's goal, the supporters let out synchronised chants of "olé" to hail their team's achievement. On Thursday, Botafogo put on a brilliant defensive performance to pull off the unexpected win over PSG, who had been in imperious form as they followed up their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final by routing Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their Club World Cup opener. Botafogo's solid discipline left PSG looking feeble and a shadow of the team that dominated European football throughout the season. "Botafogo were the team that has defended best against us all season. They were efficient. The only thing left for me is to congratulate them," PSG boss Luis Enrique told reporters. With Lionel Messi's Inter Miami also victorious against Porto, European clubs are in danger of returning home empty-handed from a tournament they had been odds on favourite to win. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Teams from 'south' have Club World Cup heat advantage: Dortmund's Kovac
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said Friday teams from the "south" have an advantage on European teams at the Club World Cup because of the current high temperatures in the United States. HT Image South American teams have impressed at the tournament and are unbeaten to this point, while Dortmund's South African opponents on Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns, beat Ulsan HD in their first Group F match. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 32 degrees Celsius during the game at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, kicking off at 12:00 pm local time. Kovac's uninspired Dortmund were held to a 0-0 draw by Brazilian side Fluminense in their opening match on Tuesday. "At the moment in this tournament you see that the clubs from the south, I think they have a big advantage because of the conditions, of the heat," Croatian coach Kovac told reporters. "We're respecting every team and we know this is a very good team, from Africa, from South Africa." Brazilian side Botafogo stunned Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, while Chelsea lost against another Brazilian team in Flamengo. Some players and coaches have complained about the heat and humidity they have been forced to play in at FIFA's expanded competition, as well as fans who have also suffered. "For the spectators in the stadium it is incredibly hot, now you can imagine how difficult it is for the players," continued Kovac. " 32 degrees when you're in the shade, and you're not even in the sun. So when you play inside the stadium you can assume it is 3, 4 or 5 degrees even hotter. "These are not excuses, it's just an explanation... this is very difficult, especially for the Europeans. The players from the south, for them it's easier because they are used to these temperatures." Kovac said his team would try to keep the ball away from Mamelodi because of the sweltering conditions in Ohio. "We need to prevent them from possessing the ball, we all know that it is going to be very warm, extremely hot tomorrow," said the coach. "We will play at noon tomorrow and we will play under the sunlight, we need to make sure we have the ball at all times. "If you have to run after the ball, it will mean a lot of effort." Kovac would not reveal if Jobe Bellingham, brother of Real Madrid star Jude, would be handed his first start, but said it was an option. "Don't forget to bring sunscreen, hat, and enough water to drink," Kovac warned reporters before departing. "Everyone on the bench will be under the sun for the entire time." Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was hopeful of springing a surprise against Dortmund. "Upsets can happen when the mental conviction of the team is strong and their emotional connection is so strong that magic can happen," he told reporters. rbs/ea BORUSSIA DORTMUND This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup: Flamengo fights back to stun Chelsea 3-1 and stay top of Group D
Flamengo overturned a first-half deficit to defeat Chelsea 3-1 in their Club World Cup Group D clash on Friday, with second-half goals from Bruno Henrique, Danilo, and Wallace Yan securing the Brazilian side's second consecutive win in the tournament. Pedro Neto's early strike had put Chelsea ahead, but the Premier League side squandered several opportunities to extend its lead, allowing Flamengo to stage a stirring comeback. The Brazilians scored two goals in quick succession through Henrique and Danilo in the 62nd and 65th minutes, which was followed by Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson being shown a straight red for a nasty studs-up challenge three minutes later. Flamengo wrapped up the victory with Yan's strike in the 83rd minute. The result leaves Flamengo on top of Group D with six points from two matches, while Chelsea remains second with three. Esperance de Tunis and Los Angeles FC have yet to register a point, with both sides having a game in hand. ALSO READ: Liverpool signs Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen Flamengo began brightly, pressing Chelsea high and forcing defensive errors, but it failed to capitalise on early chances as Luiz Araujo, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Ayrton Lucas were denied by Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez. However, Chelsea struck first in the 13th minute after Flamengo fullback Wesley sliced a clearance attempt and lost his footing, gifting the ball to Neto. The Portuguese winger raced unmarked into the box and slotted a composed finish past Agustin Rossi to give Chelsea the lead. The goal shifted momentum, with Chelsea dominating possession and creating further chances. Malo Gusto and Liam Delap had efforts saved by Rossi. Flamengo also had a great chance, with Enzo Fernandez clearing a Gerson volley off the line just before halftime. Chelsea also appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty when Fernandez appeared to be held in the box. Flamengo, however, roared back into contention after the break. Bruno Henrique, introduced as a substitute, made an immediate impact in the 62nd minute. Gerson's cross found Gonzalo Plata at the far post, whose clever header set up Henrique for a simple tap-in to equalise. Just three minutes later, Flamengo took the lead from a corner. Henrique rose highest to head the ball back across the box, where Danilo pounced to fire home from close range. Chelsea's troubles deepened when Jackson, who had just come off the bench, was sent off in the 68th minute for a reckless studs-up challenge on Lucas. Flamengo sealed the victory in the 83rd minute when Yan, another substitute, slotted home a rebound after a surging run from the right by Plata.
