“I’m Leaning Toward…” – Inter Miami Star Planning to Ditch Opportunity to Play With Lionel Messi in Argentina

It would be a dream for eligible soccer stars to play alongside Lionel Messi in the defending World champions-Argentina national team. However, Messi’s 19-year-old Inter Miami teammate Benjamin Cremaschi has turned his back on the defending World champions. Cremaschi, born in the United States, is of Argentine descent and is eligible to represent La Albiceleste. However, a conversation with Argentina’s Olympic coach, Javier Mascherano, has prompted the Inter Miami star to shelve his switch to the Latin American side.

“I haven’t spoken to Scaloni, I spoke with Mascherano, the truth is, he was very honest with me. He said he wanted the best for me. It wasn’t an egotistical conversation and I’m very thankful for it,” said Benjamin Cremaschi during his recent appearance on Urbana Play 104.3 FM. Later, he revealed his future decision, as Argentina’s youth team is lacing up for the Summer Olympics. “Mascherano said things very clearly. He told it to me in the best way and I understood him perfectly, so I’m leaning toward the United States,” Cremaschi added.

Lionel Messi’s Miami teammate had played for the USMNT in a friendly against Oman last September. Since that was a friendly, he was eligible to still represent Argentina. Arsenal superstar Declan Rice had notably started international soccer for Ireland and later became a regular in the England NT. Anyhow, the Herons notably wanted Benjamin Cremaschi to don the US team’s colors, despite the Messi link with Argentina.

Inter Miami is happy that Cresmaschi chose the US over Lionel Messi’s side

Benjamin Cremaschi started his soccer career at the Inter Miami youth academy. From there, he joined the senior team last year and was crucial for the team in 28 matches. This season, a sports hernia has kept him from pairing up with Lionel Messi in Miami’s first seven games. Anyhow, it is beyond prestigious for the David Beckham-co-owned team to have one of their players represent the American national team. Hence, Cremaschi’s allegiance to Gregg Berhlater’s side is a clear win for the Herons.

USWMNT’s U-23 coach, Marko Mitrovic, will be delighted to hear about Cremaschi’s recent admission. He will surely place a bullish bet on the Miami midfielder as the US team laces up for the Paris Olympics in July. Meanwhile, Leo Messi, who won’t feature for Argentina in the Olympics, will captain the side in its defense of the Copa America title in June. Having won the last World Cup, Argentina is the favorite to lift the Copa on US soil. If Messi wins in America, the ‘Messimania’ in the coming days will double itself.