It didn’t take long for Franco Mastantuono to make his impact in professional football, becoming River Plate’s youngest-ever goalscorer as well as their youngest scorer in a Superclasico – which is not a club without its share of impressive young talents. This summer the interest of Paris Saint-Germain prompted Real Madrid to sign him to a six-year deal after triggering his €45m release clause.
After making his Albiceleste debut against Chile, playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez and Julian Alvarez, Mastantuono headed to the United States, where he competed in all three of River’s matches in the FIFA Club World Cup, before making the move across the Atlantic. Neither did he waste any time in setting about convincing new manager Xabi Alonso of his first-team merits. He was officially presented on the 14th of August – the same day of his 18th birthday – and assigned the same number 30 shirt that he wore with River. Five days later, Mastantuono made his Real Madrid debut, replacing Brahim Diaz in the 68th minute of a 1-0 win at home to Osasuna.
Having gotten a fleeting taste of the Argentine’s talents, Alonso decided to get the real deal and start him on the right side of attack in their next two matches facing Real Oviedo and RCD Mallorca. Rested by Alonso following the international break against Real Sociedad, after playing in both of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers, he returned to the starting line-up against Olympique Marseille, as Vinicius Junior and Diaz sat on the bench. In doing so, he surpassed Endrick’s record as the youngest player to start for Real Madrid in the Champions League, in addition to becoming their youngest foreign debutant.
Image via DC
Unlike Arda Guler and Rodrygo Goes, who dropped out from their midweek XI, Mastantuono remained in the starting line-up and delivered his best performance yet. Constantly looking to get on the ball and circulate possession, Mastantuono looked busy throughout both on and off the ball, displaying a willingness to track back and win possession that has often been missing from the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius. Similarly to other players like Moises Caicedo, Lalas Abubakar, and Ryan Gravenberch, Mastantuono excelled at receiving on the turn and riding the pressure, with his low centre of gravity and impressive turning radius often forcing his opponents into fouling him.
Various examples of this effectiveness throughout were in evidence his appearance, as when he masterfully controlled a pass in the box, protecting the ball amid two blue shirts and deftly eluding Roberto Fernandez with a superb drop of the shoulder – only to overhit his low cross. Whilst Mastantuono hasn’t quite proven himself as a goal threat, he has certainly made an impact as a facilitator, cutting inside and playing quick one-twos and helping to accelerate possession play that looked listless and out of ideas under Carlo Ancelotti.
Despite only having spent a month with the club, he already looks to be in tune with his teammates’ movements and reading their runs to a tee with his inch-perfect through balls. His ability to explode at a moment’s notice and work the ball forward whilst keeping it glued to his feet has proven essential in helping Real’s ability to cut open sides and execute in the final third.
Franco Mastantuono vs Espanyol pic.twitter.com/TCq1r7Zu3z
Overall, Mastantuono completed 40 out of 45 passes (1 key pass) and created one big chance, nearly bagging himself his first assist in Spanish football only for Mbappe to make a mess of the chip attempt. He also registered 3 tackles, won 3 fouls, and completed 6 out of 9 dribbles, whilst coming out on top in 12 out of 20 ground duels. Mbappe and Eder Militao no doubt stole the show with their wondrous golazos, Mastantuono certainly played his part as Real Madrid made it six wins on the bounce to start the 2025/26 season.
Although not a central midfielder, Mastantuono’s vision, incisiveness, and unpredictability has helped to fill Luka Modric’s creative void following the Croat’s move to Milan. It’s precisely these attributes that have seen the youngster ingratiate himself with Alonso and emerge as a reliable difference-maker in the Spanish capital, even starting over the likes of Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Guler. With Jude Bellingham now back in the fold, Mastantuono has added competition as he looks to hold onto his starting spot, and continue playing protagonist for Los Blancos but his case has.