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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Herons bolstered goalkeeping ranks</li><li>Brought in Messi's former team-mate</li><li>Pair have remained close down the years</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<p>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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-reunites-ex-argentina-teammate-mls-16-years-apart-inter-miami-announce-surprise-transfer/blt339a2900d02fe128#cs463e92e3cabc9c95" target="_blank">time together in U20 World Cup and 2008 Olympic Games-winning squads</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi did have a say in transfer calls at Chase Stadium, with Ustari telling <a href="https://tn.com.ar/deportes/futbol/2024/10/12/quedo-libre-de-su-club-se-tomo-unos-mates-con-messi-y-un-llamado-cambio-todo-asi-llego-ustari-al-inter-miami/" target="_blank"><em>TN</em></a> 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.</p><p>“(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.”</p>

WHAT USTARI SAID

<p>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.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/luis-suarez-extend-last-dance-lionel-messi-mls-new-inter-miami-contract-rubbish-fitness-concerns/bltb7eda8b7449c9611" target="_blank">surrounded by close friends in Miami, with Luis Suarez</a>, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also on the Herons’ books. They have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">won the Supporters’ Shield in 2024</a>, after posting the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-want-mls-record-inter-miami-rewrite-history-books/blt148d13230ec4e72d" target="_blank">best regular season record</a>, and are ready to start <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-25000-square-foot-screen-times-square-inter-miami-playoff-game-mls-new-york/blt6b56eb671baa9e47" target="_blank">chasing down ultimate MLS Cup glory in the play-offs</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

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

Lionel Messi added a “grain of sand” to Inter Miami’s decision to sign Oscar Ustari, with the Argentine being reunited with another familiar face.