Óscar Alfredo Ustari is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Mexican club C.F. Pachuca. After starting out at Independiente he spent most of his professional career in Spain, mainly with Getafe where he had his spell marred by injuries. He also played several seasons in the Mexican Liga MX. Ustari represented Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, and won an Olympic gold medal 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. 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. On 6 July 2014, Ustari returned to his country again to play for Newell's Old Boys, penning a one-and-a-half year deal. On 16 December of the following year, he switched to the Mexican Liga MX after signing with Club Atlas; On 2 November 2017, in the dying minutes of the 1–1 home draw to Tigres UANL while at the service of the latter club, he suffered an horrific injury to his left knee after kicking a long ball forward, going on to be sidelined for several months. Ustari took his game to the Uruguayan Primera División in July 2019, with the free agent signing with Liverpool F.C..
