From León Dreams to Messi's Locker Room: William Yarbrough's Journey to Inter Miami

William Yarbrough's career took an unexpected turn. The Mexican-American goalkeeper, who was on the verge of returning to Club León, is now preparing to make his debut with Inter Miami, just in time for the start of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. At 36, after a stint with the San Jose Earthquakes, Yarbrough is feeling reenergized and ready to battle Oscar Ustari for the starting spot.

“I missed competing for important things,” Yarbrough admitted in an interview from Miami. While the prospect of sharing a locker room with global icons like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets is undoubtedly special, his main motivation was returning to a team with serious title ambitions. “We were in León looking into a possible return, and then my agent called with an offer from Inter. I didn’t hesitate.”

The goalkeeper has been impressed with the club’s structure and professionalism. “From the moment you land, the club takes care of everything. You just focus on training and joining the group,” he said. Though star power is abundant, Yarbrough emphasized the human side of the team: “They're regular people, down-to-earth professionals. That unity speaks volumes about the squad’s culture.”
Yarbrough enters a healthy competition for the number one jersey, with Ustari and young keeper Rocco Ríos Novo also in the mix. “I’m here to compete, not to ask for favors. I’ll contribute wherever I’m needed,” he stated firmly.

He will have to wait for his official debut, after Ustari started against Egypt’s Al-Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in the Club World Cup opening match. The tournament has deep meaning for Yarbrough. “It’s a beautiful challenge. Being part of this team in such a prestigious competition, especially here in the U.S., is a privilege. We’re going one match at a time.”