Since his dream goal in Superclásico against the Boca Juniors at the latest, Franco Mastantuono has been on everyone’s lips. The 17 -year -old from River Plate is already compared to the largest of his field – also with Lionel Messi.
He is only 17, but as a matter of course Franco Mastantuono took over responsibility. The youngster surely converted the penalty to 3-2 in the stoppage time of the first half and brought River Plate to the winning road in the Copa Libertadores against independiented del Valle.
In the end it was 6: 2 – and Mastantuono was once again one of the main actors. In the fifth game in a row, he was directly involved in at least one goal. The 17-year-old puts the fans into enthusiasm every time they touched the ball, wrote the largest Argentine daily Clarín after that victory on the night from Thursday to Friday and wrote: “Mastantuono is much more than River’s jewel”.
Franco Mastantuono is the celebrated hero at River Plate
The up -and -coming teenager was celebrated as a “undisputed leader” at AS . At the latest since his dream goal in the Superclásico against Boca Juniors at the end of April, the hype has increased the 1.77 meter tall midfield talent.
Mastantuono with a dream free kick in Superclásico
From a distance of over 25 meters, Mastantuono fled the ball into the right angle in the 2-1 win against the arch-rival. Who escalated over 85,000 fans in the El Monumental.
“I haven’t seen such a goal for a long time,” also amazed his coach Marcelo Gallardo and spoke of a “beautiful little pearl”.
The 49-year-old is aware that he has a raw diamond in his team in Mastantuono. “He is a talent that is already solving situations with his skills, and that’s good for River,” he said of the dribble artist.
Gallardo wants to continue to develop his protégé carefully. “He is not the leader, he is a player who fits. We will not put up any responsibility. Because of his qualities, he plays the way he plays, and that is of great value.”
Wunderkind arouses interest
But the performance of the Argentine Junior National player also arouses desires. International top clubs are apparently in line, supposedly Real Madrid should get involved at the very front. However, the royal people should not be willing to pay the 45 million euros for the exit clause.
“Mastantuono is taking his first steps,” said Gallardo about the transfer rumors. “If we have to sell it because the world and the transfer market are dynamic, then we just have to support it. He stands on the floor with both legs and has to continue to grow as a footballer and as a person.”
Mastantuono grew up in the Argentine city of Azul, around 299 kilometers from Buenos Aires. As a nine -year -old, he noticed River during a trial training session. But he excluded a first offer because he preferred to stay with his family.
In addition, a tennis career also seemed possible, only at the age of eleven, Mastantuono concentrated fully on football. In 2019 he took the step into the River Plate Youth Academy.
Profess debut under ex-Bayern professional Demichelis
Under the former Bayern professional Martín Demichelis, Mastantuono celebrated his professional debut for “Los Millonarios” last year and immortalized himself in the club history at the age of 16, eight months and 28 days.
During the emotional farewell to Demichelis, he also fled a free kick in the corner.
Martín Demichelis was a trainer of River Plate from 2023 to summer 2024
Mastantuono’s left wizard inevitably arouses memories of superstar Lionel Messi. Such comparisons are still premature in view of his age, but only recently called Thierry Henry Mastantuono’s name in connection with the really big ones.
“It is surprising that it is always said that there is no one who is better than Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. At my time it was Pelé or Maradona. You can call Zidane, Ronaldo and other names,” said Henry at CBS .
And with regard to the present, the former offensive star also called Mastantuono in addition to Lamine Yamal and referred to his dream goal in Superclásico.
“It is crazy when you consider that these boys are only 17,” enthused Henry.
Debut for Argentina?
Most recently, it has already been speculated that Mastantuono would be appointed to the Argentine A national team for the first time. Coach Lionel Scaloni now refrained from doing this with the comeback from Lionel Messi.
According to Olé , Mastantuono should be pulled up from the U20 and train with Messi sooner than later. This should be done in coordination with U20 coach Diego Placente.
“He has everything it needs and is a great personality. Mentally, he is much more mature than his age suggests,” said the former Leverkusener about the midfielder.
Another highlight is on the program for Mastantuono in summer with River Plate. The youngster will take part in the club World Cup with his team. The hype about the Argentine Wunderkind should not be bought so quickly.