Get ready for the summer of Benjamin Cremaschi as Inter Miami star eyes Olympic spot

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.

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.

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.

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.”

When asked about his Olympic dreams, Cremaschi replied: “I hope it’s my turn to go." It won't be easy to book a spot but, given what we've seen so far, it's certainly possible.

Cremaschi was with the U-23s back in October for a pair of friendlies against Mexico and Japan. He then scored for the U.S. in a 1-1 draw with Iraq when called into the squad in November. Due to his injury, Cremaschi missed March's friendlies against Guinea and France, leaving him with little time to prove himself before the Olympics get going this July.

The Inter Miami star faces a tough fight for a spot in the midfield. Tanner Tessman and Gianluca Busio are locks due to the work they've been putting in at Venezia. Aidan Morris, too, feels like a certainty. And then you have a group that includes Jack McGlynn, Rokas Pukstas, Cole Bassett, Daniel Edelman and, of course, Cremaschi fighting for a spot.

So, how can Cremaschi win it? Performing with Miami is the big answer. The Herons are in a position to give Cremaschi a place to shine, and there's no player in the world that makes his teammates look good as well as Messi.

Cremaschi will need good, quality minutes for the Herons over the next few months if he's to really make his case this cycle. If that doesn't happen, he'll still be age-eligible come 2028 but, even so, it feels like this summer could be a big one for the youngster.

With the Olympics set to kick off in late July, Cremaschi has plenty of time to prove himself in MLS.

Miami are rolling, and the addition of Cremaschi to the midfield will only help. Up next is Saturday's clash with the New York Red Bulls, which feels like a potential statement game for the Herons. The Red Bulls rolled them 4-0 in March, although that match was played without a certain Messi in the team. CF Montreal also got a Messi-less Miami, but Miami will look to get them back on May 11 in their next match.

Cremaschi will likely be tossed back into the XI soon. With fellow midfielders Diego Gomez and Federico Redondo still on the shelf, a returning Cremaschi could provide a big lift to the midfield. Cremaschi is back to a club that needs him, and that club should give him the platform to make his Olympic case.

It's all coming together at the right time. Last year was the breakout, and this season could be the breakthrough for Cremaschi, who now has his sights on a huge summer.