Inter Miami’s legendary star Lionel Messi continues to make headlines as he enjoys the latter stages of his career in Major League Soccer (MLS). Having joined David Beckham’s co-owned Inter Miami, Messi’s arrival also paved the way for Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets to reunite with their former Barcelona teammate. This strategic transfer transformed Miami’s performance, taking them from 14th in the Eastern Conference and 27th overall in 2023 to securing the top position in 2024.
In the 2024 season, Messi delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 23 goals and assisting 13 times in just 24 matches. However, Inter Miami’s stellar regular season couldn’t translate into playoff success as they faced elimination in the first round against Atlanta United.
Speaking to DSportRadio, Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari shared insights about Messi’s unrelenting competitive nature. “Messi is incredibly competitive. He’s amazing at everything he does. Some of my teammates were awestruck when they saw him for the first time. His love for football, dedication to training, and passion for excelling every single day are unmatched,” Ustari remarked.
In a lighthearted revelation, Ustari recounted an unusual training moment involving Messi. “On my first day at the club, Messi was doing pull-ups without clothes, surrounded by his teammates. He treats everyone with equal respect, is very family-oriented, and genuinely cares about the club. He’s deeply involved in the academy and ensures he stays updated about everything happening within the team,” Ustari shared.
Messi’s incredible form earned him the MLS Most Valuable Player of the 2024 season title, and he became Inter Miami’s all-time leading goal scorer. Despite his outstanding performance, 2024 marked the first year in almost a decade where he wasn’t shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, an award that went to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
It is also notable that Ustari and Messi share a history, having played together in Argentina’s victorious campaign at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. Ustari, who served as the first-choice goalkeeper during the tournament, was also a part of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, though he didn’t feature in the matches.
