INTER MIAMI
Benjamin Cremaschi interview: ‘Messi, Jordi Alba and Busquets are here to win’
Speaking to AS, Inter Miami’s talented young midfielder said that the ex-Barcelona trio can lead the team to Leagues Cup glory.
Since winning last year’s Generation Adidas Cup with Inter Miami U17, things have changed pretty quickly for Benjamin Cremaschi.
The Miami-born midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the most talked-about young prospects in MLS. He began playing for Inter Miami II last year and was quickly moved up to the first team, signing his first professional contract last November.
He made his debut for Inter Miami earlier this season and has already received not one, but two international call ups. Cremaschi is eligible to play for the United States through birth and also qualifies for Argentina through his parents.
Although still aged just 18 he has become a regular starter for Inter Miami in recent months and now finds himself living out a childhood dream; playing alongside Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi every week.
As Inter Miami prepare for their Leagues Cup clash against Charlotte on Friday night, AS spoke to Cremaschi about the ex-Barça trio’s impact, life in the first team, and his relationship with Messi.
You grew up watching Messi; what does it mean to play alongside him now?
“Yes, obviously 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.”
Has Messi said anything about the World Cup?
[Laughs] “After the game against Dallas, we were there in the locker room and I said, “Like Qatar, huh?” And he died laughing.”
Do you have a closer relationship with him because you are Argentines?
“He already knew that I was American, but with Argentine parents. I talked to him a bit and I have a very good relationship with him.
“I also talk a lot with Jordi and Busquets, it’s nice to have that relationship with them.”
This being Miami, will it be easy for them to adapt to the language?
“Yes, it will be very easy. Here, wherever you go, you will find someone who knows Spanish. And with everyone’s help, they will adapt very quickly.”
How have the three of them changed the team?
“They know the game. Whatever Tata asks for, they have already learned. It’s nice to share with them and learn from them, because their level of football is so high and superior to ours.”
Were you surprised that they came into the team from the start?
“No, it’s normal. The team can clearly see that they are top players, from the highest level, and it is completely normal that they would start. The team is playing much better with them.”
Do you think they want to play at the highest level or are they more relaxed in the final stretch of their careers?
“I was quite surprised that they arrived with so much desire to keep on winning.
“They are players who have won everything and you can see the desire to continue competing, to help us and for the club to grow. It’s nice that these types of players come and want to win.”
As an attacking midfielder, do you see Messi as competition for you?
“Messi can play more in the middle, but they are using him as a winger on the right. Although he has the freedom to move inside and create from anywhere. That’s where I can fight for the position, but we are different.”
Has Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s game been good for you?
“Yes it suits me quite well, it’s the style of play that I like. A 4-3-3 with a lot of mobility in the middle. Try to create spaces to take advantage of them.
“With Tata’s ideas I have learned a lot and I want to continue learning. He is a coach who will help me a lot.”
How would you explain Inter Miami to someone who doesn’t know the team?
“Inter Miami is a young team that is growing. We’re going to be a very strong power in MLS for years to come. It is a club that has many young players who want to learn.
“The owners of the club are very good people who want the best for the team. It is a big club, let’s say, that will continue to grow and learn from everything every day.”
What can you expect from Inter Miami this season?
“We are in the Leagues Cup and we have a team that can win it. We can win it if we continue as we are playing. And we are in the Open Cup semi-final, which we can also win.
“The MLS this year is complicated, because we are not in a very good position, but with the reinforcements that are arriving anything can happen and we are inspired to continue winning.”