Who is Benjamin Galdames? The player who chose Mexico's Soccer Team over Chile's Soccer Team

The Mexican National Team does not want another Luka´s Romero case where he was let go for never having been called up to the National Team. For that reason, Mexico now has focused its efforts on keeping a close eye on players with double nationality. One of them is Benjamín Galdames, son of former Chilean player Pablo Galdames.

The footballer, who plays in Chilean First Division for Unión Española, will be called up for the first time with the senior Mexican National Team for the friendly match against Chile in Texas, United States. The match will take place next Wednesday at the Q2 Stadium and the young player posted on his social networks that he will be called up by Gerardo Martino.

Benjamín Galdames was also called up to Chile's U-20 team in February 2020, and there was uncertainty over whether he would play for “El Tri” or “La Roja”.

Father´s impressions 

Pablo Galdames, father´s player and former midfielder of Cruz Azul, Unión de Chile, and Veracruz assured that, despite this call, his 20-year-old son had not yet defined it 100% and that he was not pressuring him to make a hasty decision. "When the time comes, he will decide wisely in the company of his family, who also advise him all the time. In the end, he has to decide what makes him happy and that he feels safe playing," he added.

However, through social networks, the midfielder has announced that he will definitely be wearing the green t-shirt, appreciating the interest of both teams and defining it as the best decision for his international career.

Galdames words in Instagram

“And the moment came when I had to make a decision. It was not easy, because I have lived all my life in Chile, my dad and my brothers have played for Chile and it is a country that I love with all my heart. I play in Chile and my life as a player is thanks to Union Espanola, a Chilean club, and nothing and no one can doubt that.

After thinking about it a lot, talking it over with my family, and training with both national teams, I made the decision to play for Mexico at this point in my career. 

Not everyone knows this, but I was born in Mexico City and I feel a very strong bond with Mexico and its soccer. It has always been present in me and my family. Today I feel that the best thing for me and my career is to play for Mexico and make myself available to their national team for the challenges ahead with the U-20 team.

I want to thank all the people who wanted to see me playing for Chile, and also the coaching staff of Profe Ormazabal. I am very grateful for the love and for having always taken me into consideration. In every training session for La Roja U-20, I gave everything of myself. I also owe them all the professionalism they taught me.

I only wish the best for La Roja to achieve all the goals that I know they are capable of achieving. They are a team that has everything to qualify for the World Cup.

It is not an easy call. I am very grateful to everyone who has done so much to help me grow as a soccer player. Today my heart tells me that my path is with Mexico and I am confident that it will be the right decision.”

U-21 Mexico Soccer Team

And practically a year later, with Benja already a recurrent presence in the U21 of El Tri, the '10' and also right-winger was required by Martin Lasarte and Gerardo Martino precisely for the friendly between Mexico and Chile in Austin, attending the call of the Tata, so he was left out of Machete's plans for good. That plane has already left…

Galdames Impressions for Mexico Soccer Team

Benjamin has left a pleasant image on the coaching staff of the Mexican National Team, which is coached by Gerardo Martino. It was pointed out that "he is a different player in terms of movements, but he may have potential. He is clever to play".