USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter has pinned Benjamin Cremaschi’s success to his own quality rather than Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami arrival.
Speaking to the press via the Miami Herald, the national team coach claimed that the 18-year-old’s success in recent weeks should not be pinned on Messi and his impact on Inter Miami.
Cremaschi is one of two Inter Miami players who have today received their first USA call-ups ahead of the Stars and Stripes’ international fixtures in September.
The teenage midfielder has been sensational under Tata Martino and has struck up a great partnership with Messi, with Cremaschi assisting the forward last weekend against the New York Red Bulls.
Yet Berhalter says Cremaschi’s success isn’t down to Messi, with the USMNT coach saying: “Watching his progress with Inter Miami, he’s done a great job and this is not just post-Messi, it was pre-Messi.
“He had a great assist against DC early in the year, he’s a dynamic player and a guy who gives everything on the pitch. I’m really excited see him and bring him into camp and see what he can do with our team.”
Cremaschi can showcase his talents to Berhalter in USMNT camp
There’s no doubt that Messi’s arrival and quality has played a role in Cremaschi becoming one of Inter Miami’s best players in the last six weeks.
However, that’s not taking away the teenager’s individual performances for Inter Miami, with Cremaschi arguably the Herons best player in the games leading up to Messi’s signing.
And next month will be a golden chance for Cremaschi to show to Berhalter with the USMNT that he has the ability to succeed at the top, with the midfielder only getting starting at Inter Miami.