Real Madrid signs super talent Franco Mastantuono. But why is the Argentine teenager already worth 63 million euros?
30 meters in front of the goal, Franco Mastantuono placed the ball in a central position, took a few steps and sank the ball with his left foot from his point of view in the right corner.
He stretched out his arms to the side and ran, yelling loudly, towards the fan curve. With that, he put River Plate in the lead in the derby against the hated arch-rival Boca Juniors on April 27 after 25 minutes. The young man with the number 30 became a celebrated hero in the 2:1 victory.
Real pays 63 million for Mastantuono
According to River Plate, Real is transferring a whopping 63 million euros to Buenos Aires for the offensive midfielder. He will sign a six-year contract – namely on his 18th birthday on August 14th. Before that, he will play with River at the Club World Cup in the USA.
In Argentina, there is great hope since Friday to have the next Lionel Messi. But why is the left-footer already worth so much?
While only experts in Europe have heard of the teenager, he is already a star in his home country. With the youth of River Plate, Mastantuono won the national championship. Last year, he debuted at the age of almost 16 for the professionals – as the third youngest player in the club’s history.
Mastantuono ahead of Messi and Maradona
But that’s not all: A few weeks later, he scored his first goal in the cup against Excursionistas and became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history (16 years and 177 days) – even ahead of the former Argentine jewel Javier Saviola.
The transfer proceeds of 63 million euros are of course also a record for an Argentine club.
Last week, Mastantuono celebrated his debut for Argentina in the World Cup qualifier against Chile. At 17 years, nine months and 23 days, he is now the youngest national player in the history of the country. Not even Messi or Diego Maradona can keep up.
Franco Mastantuono is already a national player in Argentina
Curious: He has also completed ten games for the U20 and scored two goals. He would still be eligible to play for the U17.
For River Plate, Mastantuno comes to 61 professional competitive games.
Mastantuono plays in offensive midfield or is used as a right winger. There he can best develop his strong passing game and above all show his very great strength: the outstanding shot – like with that free kick goal on April 27th.
In 19 games this season, he scored seven goals and provided four assists.
Hype about Mastantuono in Argentina
The midfielder does not look youthful at all. Although rather small at 1.77 meters, he has a stable body that is decorated with many tattoos.
A big hype has developed in Argentina in recent months. National coach Lionel Scaloni must therefore warn: “I think he has a great future, but we have to treat him the way we think is right. He is 17 years old, and it is important to know that.”
This reminder has not yet arrived at the local journalists. “For me, he will explode at Real Madrid. I have been watching football for a long time and think that Franco has a unique virtue. He is not afraid of anything,” raved journalist Gerardo Piorno on A Todo Boca.
Comparisons with World Champion
In Argentina, experts are already comparing the new star with a world champion from Atlético Madrid due to his fierce tackling.
“He is like Rodrigo de Paul. He plays in a similar area of the field, technically they have a similar development. But Mastantuono gets to the goal easily, he has a better shot from outside the penalty area and better movements. And in tight spaces he is advantageous because of his speed and explosiveness.”
This initial strength is no coincidence. After all, Mastantuono was considered a great tennis talent in his childhood. He won national championships. His mother is a tennis coach, his father once coached the youth footballers of River Plate.
Finally, Mastantuono decided to play football – and stirs up the sport as a record breaker.