Is fan-favorite Benjamin Cremaschi's career at Inter Miami finished? | OneFootball

Is Mascherano punishing or rewarding his young midfielder?

Earlier this month, Inter Miami CF midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, 20, expressed frustration with how he's being used by first-year Heron's coach Javier Mascherano; on Sunday, Italian soccer reporter Gianluca DiMarzio reported that the South Florida club has agreed to loan the Argentinian American homegrown player from Key Biscayne to Parma Calcio 1913 of Italy's Serie A.

“I’m frustrated, I want to play," Cremaschi told reporters on Aug. 13. "I think the most important thing for me is to be at a very high level, and to get there, I need minutes and experience. I’ve played very little in these recent games, and I don’t think it’s because of my level. I feel good and imagine it’s for other reasons, but I’m going to keep trying.

"Hopefully, in the next month and the coming weeks, I’ll get to play a bit more. Sometimes it happens, and you have to be strong to get through those moments."

Despite his young age, Cremaschi has appeared in more matches for Inter Miami, 106, than anyone other than Drake Callender (118) and Robert Taylor (116). Leonardo Campana and Sergio Busquets are tied for fourth with 100 appearances each. Cremaschi has seven goals and nine assists in 5,643 minutes for Los Garzas, playing primarily as a central midfielder. Under Mascherano, though, Benja has played a utility role, playing as a winger, wingback and even up front as a "10", a playmaking forward. That left the rising star questioning Mascherano's plan for him.

"I go to the games, and I have no idea where I'm going to play," he said.

Mascherano, one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation as a player, eventually was forced to play center back -- where he also excelled, despite being more comfortable higher on the pitch. Asked about Cremaschi's comments, Masche offered a veiled rebuke to his player.

Inter Miami CF coach Javier Mascherano | Rich Storry/GettyImages

“The door to my office is always open for anyone who may be mad or doesn’t want to play a certain position to come tell me; I haven’t heard any complaints face-to-face," Mascherano told reporters. "This is professional football. I decide where I think each player can give me their best.”

DiMarzio reported that the loan to Parma includes an option to buy Cremaschi's rights for €4.5 million (slightly more than $6 million). He is expected to complete medical examinations in the U.S. before departing to Italy.

As a dual national, Cremaschi has played internationally for Argentina and the United States; he played for the United States in the 2024 Olympic Games (contested by nations' U23 sides) and has made three appearances for the U.S. senior team.

Is this the end of Cremaschi's career wearing the Pink & Black? Inter Miami CF hasn't confirmed DiMarzio's report. If true, it will be interesting to hear Mascherano's explanation for the move. It is possible that, rather than punishing a young player for expressing understandable frustrations, the club is giving him an opportunity to gain valuable experience competing for playing time in one of Europe's top leagues.

Let's pretend that's the case. Either way, I'll be wishing Crema the best. I believe he's best suited to play defensive midfield but, with players like Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo DePaul and Yannick Bright claiming most of those minutes for Los Garzas, a move could provide him better opportunity.