In the ever-evolving landscape of Major League Soccer, Óscar Ustari has recently made headlines with a surprising career move. Just as the 2026 season was beginning to take shape, Inter Miami CF announced the mutual termination of Ustari's contract on February 2, 2026.
Why did Óscar Ustari leave Inter Miami?
On February 2, 2026, Inter Miami and Óscar Ustari officially agreed to part ways.
The Legacy: Ustari leaves Miami as a champion, having helped the club secure the 2024 Supporters' Shield and the 2025 MLS Cup.
Óscar Ustari and Lionel Messi: A Lifelong Bond
The connection between Ustari and Messi is one of the deepest in Argentinian football.
International Success: The duo has been winning together for two decades, starting with the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing.
The "Unbearable" Competitor: In a 2025 interview, Ustari jokingly described playing with Messi as "unbearable" because of the captain's relentless obsession with winning, even in simple training drills.
Injury History: The Recent Hamstring Woes
At 39 years old, Ustari has maintained high fitness levels, though the 2025 season saw him battle significant muscular issues:
July 2025: A severe hamstring injury forced him off in a match against FC Cincinnati, sidelining him for several weeks.
Recurrence: He missed a portion of the 2025 Leagues Cup due to a recurring muscle issue, though he returned in time for the MLS Cup playoffs.
Óscar Ustari Stats & Salary
| Category | Statistic (2025 Season) |
| Appearances | 41 (All Competitions) |
| Clean Sheets | 10 |
| Save Percentage | ~65.8% |
| 2025 Salary | $744,000 (Total Compensation) |
| Current Status | Free Agent (as of Feb 2, 2026) |
Did Oscar Ustari play for Liverpool?
There is often confusion regarding Ustari and the Premier League giants.
Liverpool FC (Uruguay): Ustari played for the Uruguayan club Liverpool Montevideo in 2019, where he made 18 appearances and helped them win the Intermediate Tournament.
Key Dates Joined (Career Timeline)
Sep 2024: Joined Inter Miami CF (Free Agent).
Feb 2024: Joined Audax Italiano (Chile).
Jan 2020: Joined Pachuca (Mexico) - Won Liga MX in 2022.
Jul 2019: Joined Liverpool Montevideo (Uruguay).
The Inter Miami Exit: Why Now?
The mutual termination on February 2, 2026, was driven by Inter Miami’s need to refresh its roster under the "BlueCo-style" roster overhaul for 2026.
Goalkeeping Logjam: The club’s decision to sign Dayne St. Clair and acquire Luis Barraza effectively relegated Ustari to the third-choice role.
Financial Flexibility: By terminating the contract early, Miami freed up $744,000 in salary cap space, allowing them to pursue other international targets.The "Ríos Novo" Factor: After taking over the starting role during the 2025 playoffs, 23-year-old Rocco Ríos Novo has become the undisputed future of Miami's goal, leaving little room for the veteran mentor.
Standout Stats: The 2025 Campaign
Despite losing his starting spot late in the year, Ustari’s 2025 contributions were vital to Miami's treble charge:
Total Appearances: 41 (Across all competitions).
Minutes Played: 3,690.Clean Sheets: 9 (A career-high since his days at Pachuca).
Key Moment: His penalty save in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stages was cited by fans as the reason Miami progressed to the knockout rounds.
Injury Update: The Shoulder Setback
The primary reason Ustari ceded his starting position in late 2025 was a significant shoulder injury suffered during training in October.
Impact: The injury sidelined him for the final nine matches of the 2025 regular season.
Current Status: As of February 2026, Ustari is reportedly fully fit and has been training individually in Miami while awaiting his next move.Where is Óscar Ustari going next?
With the Argentine window open and MLS clubs still finalizing rosters, Ustari has several paths:
The Homecoming: Reports from Diario Olé suggest a potential return to Independiente, the club where he made his professional debut in 2005.
MLS Veteran Role: Clubs like St. Louis CITY SC and Real Salt Lake are reportedly looking for backup experience for their young starting keepers.Retirement: While he hasn't officially announced it, some analysts speculate that Ustari may choose to retire and join Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina national team coaching staff or stay in Miami in a developmental role.
Óscar Ustari: Career Honours (as of 2026)
| Trophy | Team | Year |
| MLS Cup | Inter Miami | 2025 |
| Supporters' Shield | Inter Miami | 2024 |
| Liga MX (Apertura) | Pachuca | 2022 |
| Olympic Gold Medal | Argentina | 2008 |
| U-20 World Cup | Argentina | 2005 |