He might have star-gazed when he made his bow in the national jersey with Ghana’s senior team, the Black Stars in April, however Ekow Benson has picked up valuable lessons from that experience.

The teenage prodigy who was given a run out in his debut during the closing stages of that game at the Råsunda stadion in Sweden which the Black Stars lost 1-0 remains bullish of the challenges ahead.

Ekow Benson, then a 17 year-old played a few minutes against an uninspiring Brazilian side that featured Kaka, Ronaldinho and Robinho.

However, just five days after that game, Benson looked set for an European adventure as the youngster already had some trials lined up for him in France with two Ligue 1 sides.

The youngster, who plays for local side, Tema Youth, first had a three-day session with Rennes before rounding up his French trial spell with Lille where he was under observation for four days.

Benson returned to Accra after his two-week stay and sounded very hopeful of returning to France to continue with his playing career with a possible move in June.

“Everything depends on the agent. I enjoyed my stay in France where I had trials with the junior teams of Rennes and Lille.

“I will prefer to continue with my professional career in France,” Benson told the FA’s official website, ghanafa.org.

France has lots of African players plying their trade in the various league tiers and that seems to have influenced the young player’s choice.

“In France, there are a lot of African players which makes it somehow easier for one to feel comfortable and play. It’s much better starting my career there.”

Benson was one of five debutants who played in Ghana's 1-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly in Stockholm.

Black Stars coach, Claude Le Roy invited the talented midfielder for Ghana’s two separate international friendly matches against Austria and Brazil after spotting him over a period of time in the domestic league.

“I was very happy. It was my first time of entering the Black Stars camp. And playing with players like Eric Addo, John Mensah, Muntari and the rest is not easy.

“It’s not easy when you get into that situation but it was good.”

Ghana’s away trip for matches against Austria and Brazil was Benson's first trip outside the country and Le Roy was not surprised how the teenager conducted himself.

"We had to prepare his travel documents in great haste because he has never been outside Ghana," Le Roy told the BBC Sport.

"He did not know what was happening to him just before the game against Brazil.

"While we were warming-up for the game he was not concentrating on what our team was doing.

"He couldn't stop looking at the Brazilian star Ronaldinho throughout the entire session.

"After the game he was so happy to have played some few minutes and I know this is a start of a great future for Benson."

But Benson says the experience was a good one for him especially since it was his first time on a big stage with big players. He also says some valuable lessons were picked from Ghana’s opponents.

“That was my first time playing on the big stage. Playing with players like Kaka, Robinho and Ronaldinho was really good though not easy.”

The youngster recounts the minutes leading up to his short spell on the field of play.

“I was watching them (Kaka, Robinho and Ronaldinho) closely when I was on the bench.

“I watched how Ronaldinho controlled the ball, his composure and how he hit some through balls.

“Also, I watched Kaka’s style of play, his penetration and ball control. It was great learning something from them.”

Board Secretary of Tema Youth, Wilfred Osei believes in Ekow Benson’s abilities and describes him as one of their hotspots for the future.

“He is star for the future. Ekow, has improved greatly over the past few months and I think he is gradually asserting himself in games.

“He takes control of matches and is a good team player. I strongly think he epitomises the star for the future.”

Just like his team, Tema Youth, Ekow Benson also made his debut in Ghana’s elite division and is really excited with his performance in the his maiden season and that fact that he scored three goals.

“My performance was better since it was my first time in the premiership.

“I am very happy with the number of goals that I managed to score. Most strikers couldn’t even score three goals this season. I am a winger, so with three goals to my name, I am happy.”

Having turned 18 in April, Ekow Benson wants to maintain a steady progression but says he would jump for the big call up when it comes.

“I am a young guy. When they (Black Stars technical team) call me, I would be there. I am still with the Under-20 team. And that is where my concentration is.

“My little experience with the senior team is helping me. But at the Under-20, everybody is matured since we all play in the premier league.

“The only thing is we take advice from the bench and put in more effort.”

With his feeling for playing in France still intact, Ekow Benson would again return to the country where he had two separate trial stints when he joins the Ghana party at the Toulon Tournament later this month.

And this time, he is relishing his chances of playing more minutes and also endear himself to teams interested in his signature since coaches, scouts and agents would be on the look out for football’s emerging talents in real match situations.

“I hope use the Toulon Tournament to play better. I would have to play much better during the tournament to convince the teams that I am a good player.