DarÃÂo Ismael Benedetto (born 17 May 1990) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a striker for LigaPro Serie A club Barcelona SC.
DarÃÂo Benedetto began his career playing for Arsenal de SarandÃÂ in 2008. He was loaned out to Defensa y Justicia in 2010, and then to Gimnasia in 2011, appearing in 19 matches and scoring 11 goals.
In the summer of 2013, Benedetto joined Mexican club Tijuana. On 19 July, he scored a hat-trick on his league debut for the club in a 3âÂÂ3 draw against Atlas at the Estadio Caliente. Benedetto would not score again until 1 November, scoring a brace against Atlante. For the 2014 Clausura, Benedetto managed to score 7 goals for the club, and scored one in the quarter-finals of the play-offs. The following tournament, the 2014 Apertura, Benedetto scored 9 goals for Tijuana, making him the fourth-best goal scorer of the tournament, behind leaders Mauro Boselli and Camilo Sanvezzo, who scored 12 goals, and Dorlan Pabón, who scored 11 goals. He also had 4 assists. In total, Benedetto scored 21 goals in 43 appearances for Xolos.
On 15 December 2014, Club América reached an agreement with Tijuana to sign Benedetto. Though details of the transfer went undisclosed, it was believed that América paid US$8 million for the player. He made his debut on 10 January 2015 in América's opening game of the Clausura tournament, a 3âÂÂ2 victory over León at the Estadio Azteca, providing the assist for Oribe Peralta's second goal. He scored his first goal in a league game against Tigres UANL.
Benedetto was named the best player of the 2014âÂÂ15 CONCACAF Champions League, and also won the Golden Boot with teammate Oribe Peralta, scoring seven goals in three matches; four in the 6âÂÂ0 win over Herediano in the second leg of the semi-finals, and a hat-trick in the 5âÂÂ3 aggregate victory over Montreal Impact in the Finals.
On 6 June 2016, Benedetto joined Boca Juniors. On 25 September, he scored a hat-trick in a 4âÂÂ1 win against Quilmes at La Bombonera. Although resisted at first, he was the MVP that lead Boca Juniors to is 32nd national title.
On 19 November 2017, Benedetto ruptured his ACL in a match against Racing Club. He was subsequently ruled out for six months. Benedetto scored 30 goals in 34 appearances across his first two Superliga campaigns with Boca but was on target just twice in 15 outings in 2018âÂÂ19 after returning from the knee and Achilles injuries.
On 5 August 2019, Benedetto signed a four-year deal with Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille for a reported fee of â¬14 million. He was given the number 9 shirt. Benedetto scored his first goal as a Marseille player in the first half of a match against OGC Nice on 28 August 2019.
On 19 August 2021, Benedetto joined La Liga side Elche on a loan deal.
On 21 January 2022, Benedetto returned to Boca Juniors. On 19 July 2024, Benedetto and Boca Juniors parted ways by mutual agreement.
On 13 September 2024, Benedetto joined Mexican club Querétaro. In January 2025, Benedetto signed with Olimpia of Paraguay. Five months later, Benedetto and Olimpia parted ways by mutual agreement.
On 12 June 2025, Benedetto returned to Argentina to sign for Newell's Old Boys. After 3 months and no goals with the club, his contract was rescinded in October.
On 27 August 2017, Benedetto received his first senior call-up by coach Jorge Sampaoli for Argentina's 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Venezuela. He made his international debut on 5 September 2017 vs. Venezuela, he came on to replace Paulo Dybala as a substitute, the match ended 1âÂÂ1.
Arsenal
América
Boca Juniors
Individual