Martín Benítez
Martín Nicolás Benítez (born June 17, 1994) is an Argentine footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Vasco da Gama, on loan from Independiente.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Martín Nicolás Benítez | ||
| Date of birth | June 17, 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Posadas, Misiones, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder, Winger | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Vasco da Gama (on loan from Independiente) | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Independiente | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011– | Independiente | 157 | (22) |
| 2020– | → Vasco da Gama (loan) | 26 | (2) |
| National team | |||
| 2011–2012 | Argentina U17 | 7 | (2) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 December 2020 | |||
Club career
Benítez began playing football in his home town team called The Picada.[1] He caught the eye of Boca Juniors who offered a trial that never materialized.[2]
As a result, Benitez quit soccer because of depression.[3] He was encouraged back into football by his family and Independiente called him up for a trial in 2009.[4][5]
He travelled to the Netherlands with the reserve team to play a friendly against Ajax.[6] Although the team lost 5-1, he scored the only goal against goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.
On October 13, 2011 he was called up to the first team by coach Ramón Díaz.
His debut came on November 19, when Independiente defeated Olimpo de Bahia Blanca 3-0 playing the last twenty minutes of the match. His debut goal came on December 4, 2011 against Newell's Old Boys in a 1-1 draw.[7]
His second goal via a header came on December 8, 2011 against San Lorenzo de Almagro.[8]
International career
He has made 7 appearances with Argentina U-17 team scoring twice,[9] participating in two tournaments.[10]
References
- http://afterdeportivo.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/martin-benitez-%E2%80%9Cgracias-a-mi-tio-estoy-en-independiente%E2%80%9D-2/
- http://ponealospibes.blogspot.com/2011/06/martin-benitez-goleador-de-las.html
- http://www.misionesonline.net/noticias/07/02/2011/benitez-el-juvenil-que-pisa-fuerte-en-independiente
- http://www.ole.com.ar/independiente/sueno-pibito_0_594540655.html
- http://www.afa.org.ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13602:fue-designado-el-plantel-que-disputara-el-campeonato-sudamericano&catid=167:seleccion-sub-17&Itemid=69
- http://www.infiernorojo.com/independiente/2011/07/duro-traspie-en-holanda/
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-08. Retrieved 2011-12-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-primera/Necesidades-diferentes_0_605339802.html
- http://www.misionesonline.net/noticias/25/03/2011/sub-17-el-misionero-martin-benitez-anoto-en-el-triunfo-de-argentina
- http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/futbol/jugador/_/id/168966/martin-benitez