Walter Benitez is your Aiglon of the Month for February. With 85% of the vote, the goalkeeper left no chance for Adrien Tameze, the only other player he was in competition with. He will collect his trophy before Nice - Toulouse (scheduled for 15 March at 7pm), from the hands of a supporter yet to be decided by a prize draw.  

On this final day of February, we look at the article that was written about the Argentinian stopper in the matchday programme for the match against Lyon (1-0, 10 February).

In the first game against the Lyonnais this season (Lyon 0-1 Nice, 31 August 2018), he made his first start of the campaign and swept away any doubts. In moments of adversity, as he was bombarded by strikes from the opposition, his hands, feet and all of his body refused to be beaten. Against Lyon, in a Groupama Stadium that was entirely against the Gym, his return was a renaissance. The start of a season and the start of a story. Since then, Walter Benitez has looked equally solid. 

“He has always accepted my choices, has always continued to work, and this evening, he was exceptional.” Friday 31 August 2018, Patrick Vieira speaks to his players in the away dressing room in Lyon. The encounter had just come to a close and the Aiglons, happy but exhausted, had secured their first league win of the season (1-0). On 31 August, Walter Benitez made nine saves during the fixture. His performance was monumental, picking up a 9 in l’Equipe and Nice-Matin the following day. The national daily led with the headline “Lyon hit the wall” to sum up an evening that was marked by the Argentine’s power.

“He is one of the best goalkeepers in the league.” The weeks have now past, and we are now the 26 January, following the win over Nîmes (2-0), and Patrick Vieira once again singled out his keeper. This time, the coach swapped the dressing room for the press conference room. Since Lyon, the Aiglons’ number 40 hasn’t left the starting eleven and has put in consistently high-quality performances. “One of his main strengths is that he doesn’t need six months to take his chance”, explained Lionel Letizi, Goalkeeper Coach at the Gym since 2012.

The man-mountain’s stats (1.91m, 91 kg) are equally very impressive, be that in L1 or in Europe. So high that lots of pundits are beginning to ask themselves the big question: Can he knock on the door of his national team? A question which leads to another: What impact have his performances made in the “Country of Magicians”, where the attacking masterclass is handed down from generation to generation, but one in which you would struggle to name a top quality keeper? Nobody is able to provide a definitive answer at this time, but some South American pundit can give some interesting insights. It’s just a question of knowing where to look, which door to knock on and which people to trust...

“When you see him work, you understand”  

The first two question are answered by the third. “You call on behalf of Pablo, it’s a pleasure to be able to speak. We have been working with L1 since 2011. Each weekend, we broadcast the best matches in seven countries in South America, and we have a special show on L1 every Monday.” At the other end of the line, Samuel Vargas, commentator and presenter on Direct TV Sports, where Pablito, the hero of the Stade du Ray, worked as a pundit until just a short while ago. 

Eloquent, Vargas has good knowledge of the “league of the World Champions”. You have to say that the arrival of “Neymar, Cavani, Di Maria, Falcao, Ospina, James" have created a strong link between the two continents. A link which has created a group of passionate fans. So the Colombian, whose words carry weight (he has 140,000 followers on Twitter), doesn’t take long to talk about Benitez. “Honestly, it’s a bit of a surprise to see him play at this level. In Argentina, he played for Quilmes, who are probably the equivalent of Amiens or Troyes in France. He is most well-known for being the U20s goalkeeper and a few years later, we see him putting in excellent performances for a top French club. It wasn’t easy to predict...” 

“When you see how he works on a daily basis, you understand why he is where he is, added Lionel Letizi. Since his arrival, he has put everything in place, on the pitch and off of it, in order to get to this level. Walter is a very intelligent person, who never stops working. He needed time to get back from his injury - because he arrived with an injury - and for him to adapt. Now, he has adapted, but he continues to work. He feels that the club has confidence in him, which is vital in this position.”

”He left quietly, and in Nice, has found his place in the world”

Between the summer of 2016, when he arrived on the Côte d’Azur, and winter 2019, the final line of the Nice defence has played in 51 matches of L1*. According to those who follow him, the matches played in previous seasons didn’t leave the same feeling of dominance as the 21** from this season. “When he signed for the Gym, he was an alternative to Cardinale, and bit by bit, he has made his mark, commented Vargas. Now, back at home, he is known for his penalty saves (he has saved four of the eight he has faced in L1, Editor’s note) and because he has become a starter. He is big, physical and has good reflexes. On top of that, he plays for Patrick Vieira, someone we talk about a lot ...”.

“He left here in silence and has found, in Nice, his place in the world”, added Juan Furlanich, his co-presenter on Direct TV Sports. Enough to make it into the  Albiceleste squad? “It’s the right time for him, answered Vargas. Romero (31 years old) is beginning to get on. The number 1 at the moment, it’s Armani (33 years old), from River Plate. But after that, there is a place for a n°2 or n°3. Other people are there or there abouts, but if Benitez continues like he is at the moment, at a club where he is getting games, there is no reason that he can’t make an appearance.”  

“Until now, we are yet to hear talk of him being called up, admits Furlanich. But the national sides look at all players who are playing abroad. And if he can keep up this level...” The silence at the end of the sentence finishes the answer without ending the judgement. Without putting an end to the suspense. In fact, nobody can, the ball being in the court of Walter Benitez and Lionel Scaloni, the Argentinian Coach. 

With 19 years as a pro behind him, Lionel Letizi adds just one comment to conclude. “When you are a goalkeeper, your best period is between 26 and 33 years old. Walter has just turned 26. The best years are ahead of him...” 

C.D.

*He has now played 54.

** 23 before Nice - Strasbourg

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