Oscar Ustari Bio
Oscar Alfredo Ustari (born 3 July 1986) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. After starting out at Independiente, he spent most of his professional career in Spain, mainly with Getafe, where his spell was marred by injuries. He also played several seasons in Liga MX, and won the MLS Cup in 2025 with Inter Miami. Ustari represented Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and won a gold medal with the country at the Summer Olympics in 2008.
Standing 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) tall, Ustari is known for his shot-stopping ability and leadership in goal, qualities that helped him play across top leagues in Argentina, Spain, England, Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, and the United States. He continues to feature prominently for Inter Miami, serving as a senior presence in the squad.
Early Life and Background
Oscar Alfredo Ustari was born on 3 July 1986 in América, a town in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He grew up in a footballing environment and joined the youth system of local side Rivadavia before being recruited by Independiente at the age of 14, in 2000.
His progression through the Independiente youth ranks was swift. The untimely deaths of two goalkeepers at the club, Emiliano Molina and Lucas Molina, opened the door for him to feature for the senior side well before he had finished developing, an early break that shaped the rest of his career.
Path to Soccer
Ustari worked his way through Independiente’s academy and quickly caught the eye of coaches, both for his reflexes and his composure. His elevation to the first team came earlier than expected, and on 5 October 2005, he made his Primera División debut in a 2–0 win against Newell’s Old Boys. He then became the first-choice goalkeeper at the Avellaneda club, working under managers Jorge Burruchaga and Miguel Ángel Santoro, the latter a former goalkeeper who helped him refine his craft.
On 10 June 2007, Ustari scored a penalty kick against Quilmes, but his progress was interrupted when he picked up an injury that caused him to miss that year’s Copa América. One month later, in July 2007, he signed for Spanish La Liga side Getafe for a reported €4 million, teaming up with fellow Argentine goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri. He made his official debut for Getafe on 26 September 2007, in a 2–1 loss at Valencia, and featured in the Copa del Rey final that season, a 3–1 defeat to the same opponent.
Oscar Ustari Career
Early Career (2005–2007)
Ustari’s first notable stretch in senior football came at Independiente, where he went from academy prospect to first-choice goalkeeper within just over a year. He featured regularly in the Argentine Primera División, building a reputation as a reliable young shot-stopper with a strong command of his area.
During this period, he also represented Argentina at youth level, playing in the 2003 South American U-17 Championship and then the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, which Argentina won. He was called up to the senior squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by coach José Pekerman, though he did not see game action in the tournament.
Getafe Era (2007–2012)
Ustari joined Getafe in La Liga in 2007 and quickly became a regular starter, forming a strong Argentine goalkeeping duo alongside Abbondanzieri. In his first season, he helped the club reach the Copa del Rey final, finishing as runner-up after a 3–1 loss to Valencia.
However, his time in Madrid was marked by inconsistent performances and a series of injuries. He missed extended periods on the sidelines, including a 14-month lay-off that ultimately led to the termination of his contract on 17 July 2012, with one year still remaining.
Boca Juniors and Return to Spain (2012–2014)
On 25 July 2012, Ustari returned to Argentina and joined Boca Juniors, where he aimed to reset his career. He spent one season at the club before moving back to Spain in 2013, signing with Almería, which had just returned to the top flight.
His spell at Almería was short, with only four Copa del Rey appearances to his credit. On 21 January 2014, he was released by the Andalusian club and signed a six-month contract with English Premier League side Sunderland.
Sunderland and Newell’s Old Boys (2014–2016)
At Sunderland, Ustari made his debut four days after signing, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Kidderminster Harriers. He also played in the following round, a 1–0 victory over Southampton, and was an unused substitute in the final at Wembley, where Sunderland lost to Manchester City.
On 6 July 2014, he returned to Argentina to join Newell’s Old Boys on a one-and-a-half-year deal. His time there provided stability, and on 16 December 2015, he made the move to Mexico, signing for Liga MX side Atlas.
Atlas and Liverpool Montevideo (2016–2019)
Ustari spent the 2016–2018 period with Atlas, where he was a regular starter. However, on 2 November 2017, in the dying minutes of a 1–1 home draw against Tigres UANL, he suffered a horrific injury to his left knee after kicking a long ball forward, sidelining him for nearly two years.
Following his recovery, he joined Liverpool Montevideo of the Uruguayan Primera División in July 2019, playing as a free agent.
Pachuca Era (2020–2023)
Ustari moved to Liga MX side Pachuca in 2020, where he became the undisputed starter for the vast majority of his spell. He was awarded the captaincy and played a key role in the team’s success, including winning the 2022 Apertura title.
His time at Pachuca was among the most productive of his career, helping establish the club as a consistent contender in Mexican football.
Audax Italiano and Inter Miami (2024–Present)
In 2024, Ustari had a brief spell with Audax Italiano of the Chilean Primera División before moving to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami. He became first-choice at the start of the 2025 season, taking the starting role from Drake Callender.
In the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ahly, Ustari produced several saves, including a penalty from Trézéguet, in a 0–0 draw. Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano praised his performance, saying: “Oscar kept us alive in the first half, not just on the penalty kick but two or three other great saves.” He went on to win the MLS Cup in 2025 with Inter Miami.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ustari is recognized for his shot-stopping reflexes, command of the penalty area, and experience in high-pressure matches. His time across multiple top leagues has given him a calm, organized approach to defending the goal, and his leadership qualities, demonstrated by his captaincy at Pachuca, make him a strong presence in the dressing room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Ustari’s career include winning the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Argentina, representing his country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, winning Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, and being part of Inter Miami’s MLS Cup triumph in 2025. His recovery from a devastating knee injury in 2017 to return to top-flight football stands out as one of the defining moments of his career.
Oscar Ustari Career Wins
Across his career, Ustari has won major titles at club and international level. He lifted the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Argentina, claimed Olympic gold in 2008 in Beijing, won the 2022 Apertura with Pachuca, and was part of Inter Miami’s MLS Cup-winning squad in 2025. He also reached the Copa del Rey final with Getafe in 2008, finishing as runner-up.
Argentina Youth Highlights
Ustari was the starting goalkeeper for Argentina at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, playing every match as the team won the tournament. He also started the victorious campaign of the under-23 side at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, although a severe foot injury in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands cut his tournament short and sidelined him for eight months.
Other Wins & Performances
At club level, Ustari has been part of title-winning squads at Boca Juniors, Getafe, Sunderland, Pachuca, and Inter Miami, with his most notable silverware coming in Mexico and Major League Soccer. He also won the 2022 Apertura with Pachuca, where he served as captain.
Oscar Ustari Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Oscar Ustari’s connection to football runs deep in his family. His father-in-law, Ricardo Giusti, was also a professional footballer who represented Independiente, Newell’s Old Boys, and Argentina, linking Ustari to two of the clubs he would later play for.
Personal Life
Ustari is married to a member of the Giusti family, making Ricardo Giusti his father-in-law. Beyond this connection, details of his personal life remain largely out of the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
Ustari’s 2025 season has been a defining chapter in his career. He entered the year as Inter Miami’s first-choice goalkeeper, taking over from Drake Callender, and quickly established himself with strong performances in the FIFA Club World Cup, where his saves helped Inter Miami earn a 0–0 draw against Al Ahly in their opening match.
His consistent form throughout the Major League Soccer campaign was instrumental in Inter Miami’s run to the MLS Cup, which they won in 2025. Manager Javier Mascherano’s public praise of Ustari underscored his importance to the team’s success.
Looking ahead, Ustari remains a key figure for Inter Miami, providing experience and leadership in goal. His resurgence at the top level, after years of injury setbacks, has been one of the storylines of his 2025 season, and he continues to be a reliable presence for both club and country.