Ustari and his frustrated arrival at Nacional: "There were things that didn't convince me, I didn't want to go without being sure"

The potential transfer of Argentine goalkeeper Óscar Ustari to Nacional was a topic of significant discussion during the recent transfer window, and the player himself has now shed light on the circumstances that prevented the move. Ustari confirmed that Nacional's interest was real, driven by the need to bolster their goalkeeping options following an injury to Federico Bonilla and Luis Mejía's international commitments.

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The offering from Nacional was real, but I was moving, I had to organize internal things and I didn't want to make a hasty decision. I heard that I hadn't given a response to the club; that's a lie: time was requested.

However, Ustari cited a combination of personal and professional factors for his decision not to join the Uruguayan club. He explained that he was in the process of relocating and needed time to settle his internal affairs, refuting claims that he had not responded to Nacional's offer. More critically, the subsequent resignation of Nacional's coach and a significant derby loss created an environment that did not fully convince him, leading him to prioritize certainty before committing to a new club.

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Afterwards, the coach resigned and they lost the classic. There were things that didn't fully convince me, I didn't want to go somewhere without being sure.

Ustari's departure from Inter Miami in February 2024 was by mutual agreement. The MLS club acknowledged his contributions, noting his experience added depth to the goalkeeping unit and that he was part of the historic squad that secured the Supporters' Shield and set a points record. His tenure also included the MLS Cup victory, where he played a significant role, accumulating over 3,000 minutes across various competitions.

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Ustari joined the Club in September 2024, adding experience to the group of goalkeepers for the end of the season. Additionally, he was part of the squad that led Inter Miami to achieve its first Supporters’ Shield and secure a record number of points in an MLS season.

From a Uruguayan perspective, as covered by El País, the pursuit of an experienced goalkeeper like Ustari was a strategic move to ensure stability and competition in the crucial position. While his arrival would have been a significant boost, his decision highlights the complexities of player transfers, where personal circumstances and club stability play as vital a role as the offer itself. Ustari's career, marked by stints at prominent clubs like Independiente, Boca Juniors, and in Europe with Getafe, adds to the intrigue surrounding his next professional step.

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The Argentine goalkeeper was also part of the historic campaign where the MLS Cup was won, in which he played 40 games across all competitions including MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Leagues Cup, marking a record of more than 3,000 minutes played and nine clean sheets.