Oscar Ustari has revealed that sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi can be “unbearable” at times, stating that his desire to win has even taken some team-mates by surprise. The veteran goalkeeper reflected on their time in the Argentinian dressing room together and his season-long stint at Inter Miami alongside Messi.

Ustari, 38, couldn’t help but marvel at the national team captain’s staggering commitment and natural flair, noting that his greatness is not just by chance. He told DSports: “Messi is unbearably competitive, he is incredible in everything.

“There are team-mates who have never seen him before and they are surprised. Nothing is a coincidence at that level. You see that his release is football, training, being well and proving every day who he is.”

Though Ustari’s international career with Messi spanned between 2007 and 2012, they rarely played together. However, both were part of Argentina’s Under-20 World Cup-winning squad in 2005.

Ustari has a modest two caps for Argentina compared to Messi’s colossal record of 191 appearances and 112 goals – not to mention an Olympic gold and a World Cup. The shot-stopper met up with Messi once again in Miami last year following his departure from Audax Italiano.

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

Messi bagged a brace in the first half and Ustari watched on from the bench. The veteran athlete also praised Messi’s consistent dedication to life both on and off the pitch, noting that his drive for success comes from a close family bond.

Ustari said: “He enjoys doing what he does. The first day I arrived at the club he was doing pull-ups, and all the boys were around him. He treats everyone the same, he’s very family oriented.

“He’s very involved in the academy, he’s 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 off the pitch.”

Ustari is now a free agent once again but could be set to re-sign for 2025, while Messi is contracted with the stateside team until December. The 37-year-old footballing icon is yet to make a public statement about any plans following his contract’s end, but there is a one-year extension option in his contract.