da stake casino： The midfielder will look to make up for lost time as he pushes for a spot at this summer's tournament
da bet7： The start of 2024 has been hard on Benjamin Cremaschi. After a breakout 2023, the start of Cremaschi's year was derailed by a sports hernia. It wasn't the start he wanted and, given Inter Miami's injury crisis, it wasn't the start the club needed either. But while winter and spring haven't been kind to Inter Miami's homegrown star, summer is closing in fast, and it may just be the summer of Cremaschi, both for club and country.
The teenager is finally healthy. He's come off the bench several times in recent weeks for Miami and now has a goal to his name, one which felt like an announcement to the world that he's back and ready to contribute.
It's happened at the perfect time, too. Not only is he rejoining Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets & Co., he's also now able to make his case for an international role. The Olympics are coming, and Cremaschi has a chance to lock down a spot in the U.S. squad for Paris 2024.
So, will this summer be Cremaschi's breakout: round 2?
Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGetty ImagesA breakout 2023
Imagine going from virtual unknown to Messi's sidekick. It's the stuff of dreams. It's also the stuff of reality, at least for Cremaschi.
After making his Inter Miami debut in February 2023, Cremaschi was a mainstay in the lineup down the stretch for the Herons. He featured in all seven games, starting six, during their historic Leagues Cup run. During that run, he scored a go-ahead goal against FC Dallas in the Round of 16 before netting the winning penalty kick in the shootout later that night.
In total, he featured in 41 matches across all competitions in his first senior campaign, scoring two goals. On the international level, he made his USMNT debut in a September friendly against Oman before featuring as part of the Olympic-eligible U-23 team in October despite being just 19. His fine form earned him a nomination as U.S. Soccer's Young Player of the Year.
This year was supposed to be another step forward, but that step was delayed.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDelayed start to 2024
The injury announcement came early in Miami's globetrotting preseason.
On January 27, the Herons announced that Creamschi had undergone surgery for a sports hernia. That injury would keep him out of the start of the season, and it came just after Miami had confirmed that rising star winger Facundo Farias would miss the season due to a torn ACL.
In terms of results, Miami chugged along well. Despite missing Messi for a month as well, the Herons find themselves atop the Eastern Conference with 21 points through 11 games. To get there, though, the club has had to endure a huge injury crisis, one which has seen up to nine first-team players out at any given time.
One key first-team player recently returned, though: Cremaschi. And, after a few games being eased back into the XI, he made his mark this past weekend.
Returning in style
Despite all of the injuries, particularly in the midfield, Inter Miami were patient with Cremaschi. They were okay with a gradual return to action. A smart decision, for sure, considering how important Cremaschi is to this club's future.
Cremaschi, though, announced that he was back and as good as ever this past weekend in a 4-1 win over New England Revolution, netting his team's killer third goal at Foxborough.
The teenager's finish was pure reaction. After seeing Messi's shot parried away, Cremaschi pounced, making no mistake from close range.
The hockey assist was even better, to be fair, as his backheel to Messi allowed the Argentine to set up Suarez for another late goal.
It'll be the first big game of many, Miami hopes. Cremaschi is back and it seems that it won't be long before he reclaims his place in the midfield.
Getty/GOALUSMNT vs Argentina
Since the moment he broke through, the questions have been there: Where would Cremaschi play on the international level? Could a certain Argentinian teammate sway him, or the federation, to make that move possible? Could the USMNT convince him otherwise?
As it turns out, the USMNT is very much in the lead, at least partly because of honesty from one of Messi's most tenacious former teammates.
Javier Mascherano, Messi's former teammate for club and country, is currently the boss of Argentina's Under-20s. He's been in contact with Cremaschi in recent weeks, but the Inter Miami star says that Mascherano himself has advised him to go with the U.S.
“I haven’t spoken to Scaloni, I spoke with [Mascherano],” Cremaschi told Argentine radio stationUrbana Play 104.3 FM. “The truth is he was very honest with me. He said he wants the best for me. It wasn’t an egotistical conversation and I’m very thankful for it.”
When asked if he would consider a call-up to the Argentina squad, Cremaschi added: “Yes, but [Mascherano] made things clear. He told it to me in the best way and I understood him perfectly, so I’m leaning toward the United States.”