India, Jan. 6 -- Lionel Messi is presently in the concluding stages of his career in Major League Soccer, playing for Inter Miami, a club co-owned by David Beckham. His arrival prompted notable players such as Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets to join him in Miami. The club's strategic acquisitions proved successful, as they improved from 14th place in the Eastern Conference and 27th overall in the MLS in 2023 to the top position in 2024.

During this period, the Argentine captain scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in just 24 matches. However, Miami's strong performance in the regular season did not carry over into the playoffs, where they were eliminated by Atlanta United in the first round.

In an interview with DSportRadio, Argentine goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who joined Miami in September 2024, shared his experiences training with Messi, noting that the Barcelona icon remains "unbearably competitive."

"Messi's competitiveness is remarkable; he excels at everything. Some teammates who had never encountered him before were taken aback. At that level, nothing happens by chance. His passion for football, training, and consistently demonstrating his abilities is evident," he stated.

Ustari also made an unusual comment regarding Messi's training habits. "He enjoys what he does. On my first day at the club, he was doing pull-ups without a shirt, and everyone gathered around him. He treats everyone equally and has a strong sense of family. He contributes significantly to the team and is actively involved in the academy, staying informed about everything. That is my impression of him," he remarked.

Messi was honoured as the MLS Most Valuable Player for the 2024 season and became Inter Miami's all-time leading goalscorer. Notably, 2024 marked the first time in nearly ten years that he was not nominated for the Ballon d'Or, which was awarded to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

It is important to mention that Ustari played alongside Messi at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, where Argentina secured the gold medal. He served as the first-choice goalkeeper for the national team during that tournament and was also part of the squad for the 2006 World Cup, although he did not play.

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