Considered a great promise, the Franco Mastanuono attacking midfielder has the opportunity to shine during the new club world with River Plate. Before joining Real Madrid.
This article is an adaptation of an article published by our partner Trivela.
It is not today that Argentinian football reveals cracks. Right now, the name on everyone's lips is that of Franco Mastanuono, who wears the jersey of the River Plate. At just 17 years old, the attacking midfielder has already been announced by Real Madrid. The agreement between the player and the club was concluded last Sunday.
River Plate can count on Mastantuono for the Club World Cupand the tournament in the United States will mark its farewells. The Merengues finalized the arrival of the Argentinian attacking midfielder for the 2025/26 season.
Trivela spoke with Argentinian journalist Santiago Sourigues, from the Argentine Top Mercato site, to understand why the attacking midfielder attracts so much attention in such a short time.
🚀 Mastantuono, new Real Madrid player!#WelcomeMastantuono pic.twitter.com/o95654A9St
– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) June 13, 2025
Who is Franco Mastantuono?
Coming from the River Plate training centerFranco Mastanuono has always distinguished himself by his talent in the lower divisions. At the end of 2023, the attacking midfielder stood out by leading Argentina U17 in fourth place in the category World Cup.
Since then, he has joined the Argentine U20 selection. The following year, Mastantuono made his debut with River professionals thanks to Martín Demichelis. The coach of the time bet on the young person and gave him playing time.
With the return of Marcelo Gallardo to River Plate in August 2024, the Argentinian prodigy first lost playing time, but he quickly won the confidence of the new coach. This season, Franco Mastanuono is evolving at its best level.
Mastantuono with River Plate in 2025
- Match: 19 (Libertadores, Argentine League and Argentine Cup)
- Buts : 7
- Decisive assists: 4
One of the most emblematic moments in the Argentinian attacking midfielder so far has been his superb free kick against Boca Juniors. Beyond its technical quality, Franco Mastanuono impresses by its maturity to shine during the most emblematic classic in South America.
Indeed 💎🎬 pic.twitter.com/zFGUvXSaV6
— River Plate (@RiverPlate) April 27, 2025
PSG and Real Madrid wanted to recruit Argentine talent
It is no coincidence that the days of the attacking midfielder among the Millonarios are counted. THE PSG and Real Madrid were among the favorites to recruit Argentinianand it was ultimately the Merengues who had the last word. The club even received a call from Xabi Alonso to convince the young person, who chose to join the Spanish team.
For his part, River tried to play the watch concerning the release date of the Argentinian attacking midfielder. Stefano Di Carlo, director of River Plate, said in a recent interview that the Argentinian technical staff wanted to keep Franco Mastanuono until the end of 2025.
River Plate demanded the payment of the release clause of 45 million euros To release the attacking midfielder, which cooled the ardor of Parisians. Real Madrid has agreed to make Argentinian the most expensive sale in the history of the country.
Mastanuono will celebrate his 18th birthday on August 14, the date from which he can be transferred abroad. However, being Italo-Argentin, he could have joined Spain before his majority. At Real Madrid, he will be under contract until June 2031.
Heir to Lionel Messi?
Santiago Sourigues lists the greatest qualities of the Argentinian attacking midfielder from River: ” left -handed, skillful and with an impressive physique for his age ». These characteristics explain why Franco Mastanuono is so often compared to Lionel Messi.
While the Inter Miami star approaches retirement at 37, River Plate's attacking midfielder stands out as one of the candidates for the succession of number 10 in Argentinian selection.
Coach Lionel Scaloni summoned Mastanuono for the first time with the main Albiceleste during the FIFA window in June. During the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the Millonarios jewel has already made its debut with Argentina-the youngest in history to wear the selection jersey.
