Now playing alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the 18-year-old midfielder has proved that he is ready for the international stage.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Aug 30th, 2023 13:00 EDT
ANDY LYONSAFP
Benjamin Cremaschi has impressed for Inter Miami in recent weeks and the young midfielder has been rewarded with a USMNT call-up.
The 18-year-old was playing for Miami’s youth teams last year but has become a regular starter in the first team this season. He is one of a number of players who have benefitted from the presence of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in the side.
Speaking in a recent interview with AS, Cremaschi said: “I grew up watching Messi play. Also Busquets and Jordi Alba. Now being able to share the field with them is crazy impressive. I am really looking forward to learning from them and growing as a player.”
Cremaschi was named in the United States’ 24-man squad for upcoming friendly fixtures against Uzbekistan and Oman. The matches will be the first for USMNT since the return of Gregg Berhalter as head coach.
The @USMNT called and Callender and Cremaschi answered 📞 🇺🇸Drake Callender and Benja Cremaschi have been called up to the United States Men’s national team for the upcoming friendly September matches. Details: https://t.co/djx6GFlQEJ pic.twitter.com/3pvv44mt0D
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 30, 2023
What is Benjamin Cremaschi’s salary?
Cremaschi impressed for Inter Miami II in 2022 and was offered a three-year professional contract with the senior side last November. He went on to make his MLS debut in a 2-0 win over CF Montreal in February, aged just 17.
MLS Players Association data shows that Cremaschi’s current deal is worth at least $69,360 per year, with equates to a little over $1,300 per week.
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Benjamin Cremaschi has benefitted from Lionel Messi’s arrival in Miami.Inter Miami
Will Benjamin Cremaschi choose the US or Argentina?
Cremaschi may have just received his first senior international call-up but that doesn’t mean that he has committed his future to USMNT. The upcoming fixtures are friendlies, meaning that he will not be tied to the United States if he features in them.
He was born in Miami, Florida but is of Argentinian descent. Miami is a particular hotspot for Argentinian immigrants to the United States and roughly one-third of the 300,000 US-based Argentines live in Miami-Dade or Fort Lauderdale.
His father and two of his three brothers were born in Argentina and the whole family hold dual citizenship. Benjamin’s father, Pablo Cremaschi, was a rugby player and represented the Argentina national team between 1992 and 1995.