'I didn't want to let him go!' - USMNT star Benjamin Cremaschi opens up on goal celebration with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

Cremaschi is, as an 18-year-old of Argentine decent, living the dream in 2023 after being joined in Florida by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. He is taking as many lessons as possible from the all-time great, with rapid progress on his part earning a call-up to the senior United States squad for the last round of international fixtures – with a debut taken in for the USMNT against Oman.

The teenager’s exploits at club level have made such recognition possible, with the youngster thriving alongside Messi. He teed up one effort for the 2022 World Cup winner during a MLS clash with the New York Red Bulls in August, allowing him to take in the most memorable of celebrations.

Cremaschi has told the Men In Blazers podcast of seeing Messi acknowledge his efforts before leaping into his arms: “Obviously he just pointed at me, kind of like dedicated it. He’s an amazing person and will never celebrate by himself. It’s incredible and just the moment he jumps on me… it was like another dream. You know, like the best player you’re celebrating a goal, incredible goal with him. I called my family after and they’re like ‘oh, how was it?’ I was like, I didn’t want to let him go!”

Cremaschi has scored three goals of his own this season as his personal stock continues to rise. Messi has plundered 11 through 12 appearances, helping Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory and the final of the U.S. Open Cup, but he is currently nursing a knock and will be handled with care over the coming weeks in an ongoing MLS play-off bid.