Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has achieved just about everything that it is possible to accomplish at the very top of his chosen profession. He has won trophies with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while capturing World Cup and Copa America crowns with his country.

The all-time great has broken countless records down the years, as the history books are rewritten, and could hang up his boots at any point safe in the knowledge that many of his exploits will never be repeated. Messi is, however, still going strong at 37 years of age.

He has been joined in Florida by another familiar face – one that he savoured Olympic gold medal glory alongside in 2008 – and Ustari has said of the Messi that he has been reunited with some 16 years on from their last professional engagement: “What I value most is how he always leads with the right foot forward, he’s never forgotten his roots. In the case with me, he has always been the same, so it makes me very happy that he hasn’t changed and with time he hasn’t developed that stubbornness. He has achieved everything there is to achieve and he’s earned it by working hard. I am in a stage of enjoyment with Leo and I am happy to be here and to see him also enjoying it.”

Messi could be forgiven for feeling a little frustrated at present, with an unfortunate ankle injury having been picked up in the 2024 Copa America final. That knock has prevented him from rejoining the ranks at Inter Miami, but a long-awaited return to action is expected to be made in MLS action against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.