Óscar Ustari
Quick Facts
Biography
Óscar Alfredo Ustari (born 3 July 1986) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Club Atlas in Mexico as a goalkeeper.
After starting out at Independiente he spent most of his professional career in Spain, mainly with Getafe where he had his spell marred by several injuries.
Ustari represented Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, and won an Olympic gold with the country in 2008.
Club career
Born in América, Buenos Aires Province, Ustari arrived in Club Atlético Independiente's youth system at the age of 14. The untimely deaths of Emiliano Molina and Lucas Molina – both playing in his position – propelled him to the first team sooner than expected, and he made his Primera División debut on 5 October 2005 in a 2–0 win against Newell's Old Boys, remaining first-choice with the Avellaneda side in the following tournaments, under both Jorge Burruchaga and Miguel Ángel Santoro (both former players with the club, the latter also a goalkeeper).
On 10 June 2007, Ustari scored from a penalty kick against Quilmes Atlético Club, also leaving the pitch injured and going on to miss the year's Copa América. One month later, he signed for Getafe CF in Spain for €4 million, teaming up with compatriot and goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri; his official debut came on 26 September 2007, in a 1–2 La Liga loss at Valencia CF.
Ustari struggled during his spell with the Madrid club, due to inconsistent performances and several injury problems. On 17 July 2012, after a 14-month lay-off due to the latter, he terminated his contract which still had another year running.
On 25 July 2012, Ustari returned to his country and joined Boca Juniors. He moved back to Spain the following year, however, with UD Almería which had just returned to the top flight.
On 21 January 2014, after only three Copa del Rey matches to his credit, Ustari was released by the Andalusians and signed a six-month contract with Sunderland. He made his debut for his new team four days later, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 home win against Kidderminster Harriers for the fourth round of the FA Cup; he was also in goal in the following game in the tournament, and the result was the same against Southampton, and was an unused substitute on 2 March in the final loss to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
In the summer of 2014, Ustari returned to his country again to play for Newell's Old Boys, penning a one-and-a-half year deal on 6 July 2014.
International career
Ustari played all the matches for the Argentine under-20 team that won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. On 15 May 2006, he was named by senior side coach José Pekerman – also his manager at the former – for the 2006 FIFA World Cup alongside future Getafe teammate Abbondanzieri, being an unused squad member.
Ustari also started the victorious campaign of the Olympic team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but suffered a severe foot injury in the quarter-finals against Holland, being sidelined for eight months.
Personal life
Ustari's father-in-law, Ricardo Giusti, was also a footballer. He too represented Newell's and Argentina.
Honours
Club
- Boca Juniors
- Copa Argentina: 2011–12
- Getafe
- Copa del Rey: Runner-up 2007–08
- Sunderland
- Football League Cup: Runner-up 2013–14
Country
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2005
- Summer Olympic Games: 2008