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Real Madrid has secured one of the most sought-after young talents in world football with the signing of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.
At just 17 years old, the Argentine midfielder, who recently made his senior debut for the national team, is set to join the Spanish giants on a contract running until June 2031.
The transfer was confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, and has set a new record in Argentine football, with the total fee reaching $65 million. River Plate will receive $48 million, the full release clause, in a single payment, with additional taxes and fees raising the final cost for Madrid.
River Plate had hoped to keep Mastantuono until the end of the season, but the player’s desire to move to Europe, combined with a personal call from new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, ultimately sealed the deal.
Mastantuono will officially join Madrid in August, shortly after turning 18 on August 14. He will start with a lower-tier salary at Madrid, with performance-based increases and a signing bonus included in his contract.
His arrival strengthens Madrid’s focus on nurturing young talent, adding him to a growing pool of emerging stars that already includes Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Federico Valverde, Endrick, and Arda Guler.
Mastantuono’s journey to football stardom hasn’t been straightforward. Growing up, he was a promising tennis player, and his family even pushed him to pursue a career with a racket rather than a football. In fact, when he was just 9, his first trial with River Plate was turned down. But Mastantuono’s heart was always in football, and by 2019, he signed with River Plate, leaving tennis behind for good.
At River Plate, it didn’t take long for his talent to shine. By the time he was 14, he was called up to Argentina’s U17 team, and by 2024, he was already playing for the U20 squad under coach Javier Mascherano. His performances with the youth teams were so impressive that he was quickly promoted to the first team.
In January 2024, Mastantuono made his official senior debut for River Plate, becoming the club’s third-youngest debutant at just 16. A few weeks later, he made history by becoming River Plate’s youngest-ever goal scorer in a competitive match against CA Excursionistas, breaking a record previously held by the likes of Javier Saviola.
Mastantuono is a versatile player who can play in several positions. Whether it’s as a right-winger, central midfielder, or second striker, he has the ability to make an impact. His vision, dribbling skills, and football IQ are all far beyond his years, and he’s already showing the composure and maturity of a much older player.
Even as a teenager, Mastantuono is already showing leadership qualities, demanding the ball and taking responsibility in high-pressure situations. His performances have caught the eye of top European clubs, but Real Madrid acted swiftly to snatch the budding attacker.
