Nicolás Benedetti puts Olympic ambition ahead of América | OneFootball

Nicolás Benedetti has admitted representing Colombia at the Olympics in Tokyo next year is a higher priority for him at the moment than success with América.

The midfielder joined Las Águilas from Deportivo Cali in January 2019, but has struggled to nail down a regular place in Miguel Herrera’s side.

That may explain why the prospect of starring on the Olympic stage holds more of an attraction for the Cali native.

According to ESPN Mexico, Benedetti was asked about the issue on a program about the Colombian U23 side that qualified for the Games in Japan.

“Right now, going to the Olympic (Games),” Benedetti said.

“I think and I want to last a long time in América and there may be more opportunities, but the Olympics are only once in my life and I would rather go.”

The 23-year-old, who contributed a goal to Colombia’s qualification from the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, made his senior international debut in a friendly against Argentina in September 2018.