Exclusive W.Benitez: Crystal Palace eye Europa League glory but I stand no chance of becoming Argentina's number due to Emi Martinez
Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone at Elland Road, Leeds
Walter Benítez admitted that his hopes of ever becoming Argentina’s No.1 goalkeeper are slim due to the presence of Emiliano Martínez.
The 34-year-old’s Blues career may not have got off to the best of starts after shipping 10 goals in just four Premier League fixtures.
But the man from Mar del Plata has won one World Cup and two Copa América titles with La Selección.
He also kept his country in the game with an array of world-class saves in this summer’s showpiece against Spain, proving virtually bulletproof until the 106th when Ferran Torres finally found a way through.
So, unless Martínez retires, there may be no dethroning the seemingly untouchable serial winner.
Just as Buffon, Neuer and Courtois made life almost impossible for the next generation of Italian, German and Belgian goalkeepers, ‘Emi’ sticking around will make taking the baton from him feel like Mission Impossible.
And despite a good start to the season with Crystal Palace, Benitez has not even been called up for the upcoming games against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and the Messi’s farewell game against Benin.
Lionel Scaloni opted for Man City number 2 Geromino Rulli and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak understudy Juan Musso meaning fourth-choice WB has a mountain to climb just go earn a call-up.
In an exclusive interview with Capital Football, the ex-Nice and PSV Eindhoven gloveman, 33, said: “It will be difficult with the Dibu who is a great goalkeeper and top lad.
“He’s a role model for myself and so many kids!
“He played some incredible games with the national team and won it all.
“He shows day by day why he’s on this level and for me just being part of the national team would be something huge.
“Hopefully I can make it back one day, until then I’ll relish each day..."
So it would be wise for Benitez to focus on what’s achievable, such as having a shot at lifting the Europa League with the Eagles.
Benitez, who is currently deputising for crocked no.1 Dean Henderson, said: “Let’s hope so, it’s our target.
“But we have to take it one step at a time and show in every game that we need to win and grow as a team.
"Now we rest and then we think about the next games in a few weeks.”
Benitez, who racked up 167 Ligue 1 appearances for OGC Nice and 97 for Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven, is still pinching himself at the thought of finally featuring in the Premier League on a weekly basis, albeit on a temporary basis.
He said: “This league is beautiful and I want to take in each game!
“For me playing at the highest possible level has always been my goal.
“Now I am at Crystal Palace, a club that I love.
“We’re involved in lots of competitions.
“I am enjoying my time here, working hard every day.
“Everyone’s saying this is the best league because the level of the teams is very competitive.
“Be it at home or away every game is difficult here because the clubs have great players, managers and experience.
"And that leads to the level being a lot higher here.
“The people that work here, the stadiums… it’s all a different level, really.”
Despite the number of chances that went begging in Palace’s 0-0 draw at Leeds United, Benitez was in no mood to beat himself up over the missed opportunity of heading into the three-week break with two more points on board.
Because Elland Road is as tough a place as they come for anyone- under the lights, as their record suggests, or not as was the case on Sunday.
He said: “Yes, maybe we could have scored a goal!
“But nevertheless I am happy because we played well and especially in the second-half we created more chances.
“We improved a lot and all being said it remains an important point for us.”
“ I am very happy with the point we got.
“My save helped the team and that’s what matters.
“We shall not forget that it’s difficult to win on Leeds United’s turf and we should be positive about it.”
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