'I couldn't help but find Lionel Messi's character unbearable – he surprised his teammates'

Oscar Ustari has revealed that sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi can sometimes be “unbearable”, saying his desire to win has even surprised some teammates. The veteran goalkeeper reflected on their time together in the Argentina locker room and his season-long stint at Inter Miami alongside Messi.

Ustari, 38, couldn't help but marvel at the national team captain's astounding commitment and natural flair, noting that his greatness is no accident. He told DSports: “Messi is unbearably competitive, he is incredible in everything.

“There are teammates who have never seen him before and they are surprised. Nothing is a coincidence at this level. You see that his output is football, training, being good and proving every day who he is.”

Although Ustari's international career with Messi spanned between 2007 and 2012, they rarely played together. However, both were part of the Argentina Under-20 team that won the World Cup in 2005.

Ustari has just two caps for Argentina, compared to Messi's colossal record of 191 appearances and 112 goals – not to mention an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup. The goalkeeper met Messi again in Miami last year following his departure from Audax Italiano.

He made only one appearance, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory against the New England Revolution on 19 October 2024. Ustari and Messi were part of the team that saw Inter win the Supporters Shield with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Columbus. Crew, marking the end of the MLS season.

Messi scored a brace in the first half and Ustari watched from the bench. The veteran athlete also praised Messi's constant dedication to life, on and off the pitch, emphasizing that his drive to succeed comes from a close family bond.

Ustari said: “He loves doing what he does. The first day I came to the club he was doing pull-ups and all the boys were around him. He treats everyone the same, he's very focused on the family.

“He is very involved in the training center, he is on top of everything. I see him a bit like that. He will have to manage his image from another place. I don't want to imagine him outside the field.”

Ustari is now a free agent again but could be close to re-signing for 2025, while Messi is under contract with the American team until December. The 37-year-old football icon is yet to make a public statement about his plans after his contract ends, but there is a one-year extension option in his contract.