How Lionel Messi added ‘grain of sand’ to Inter Miami transfer call before familiar face joined Argentine GOAT in MLS

The Herons bolstered their goalkeeping ranks in early September when bringing in Argentina shot-stopper Ustari. He was a free agent at the time, but is a player that fellow countryman Messi knows all about from their time together in U20 World Cup and 2008 Olympic Games-winning squads.

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Messi did have a say in transfer calls at Chase Stadium, with Ustari telling TN of who he spoke to before sealing a switch to the United States: “I was in Mexico when Tata [Martino] called me. It was on August 28, my father’s birthday. (He told me that) I met all the conditions. Leo was able to contribute his grain of sand, also believing that I have all the conditions to be where I am today.

“(With Martino) we talked about the situation of the club. I was honest with him and told him that I could take that place, that he could count on me. It was all very quick. There wasn’t much time either. And it was also the possibility of reaching a competitive league like MLS is becoming. In my case, I don’t let new experiences pass me by. This was an opportunity and I took it.”

Ustari has also revealed how he met up with Messi shortly before the opportunity to join the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in Florida presented itself. The 38-year-old added: “I was always in contact with Leo. I never stopped being in contact with him. I had even been with him a few days before. We had some mate. And, the following week, this possibility arose. We remembered that moment. We were drinking mate, he was wearing Inter clothes and I was wearing civilian clothes, and the following week we were both on the pitch. That's the beauty of football.”

Messi is surrounded by close friends in Miami, with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also on the Herons’ books. They have won the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, after posting the best regular season record, and are ready to start chasing down ultimate MLS Cup glory in the play-offs.