Between Real Madrid and South America, it’s a love story dating back to time immemorial. The Argentine championship, in particular, is a highly prized hunting ground for Los Blancos, who often go there to replenish their ranks. Their current project involves getting their hands on a gem from River Plate.
Franco Mastantuano has been making waves for several months in the Argentine championship with River Plate, attracting the interest of several European clubs. At only 17 years old, the Argentine is constantly progressing and is starting to win the hearts of the Millonarios supporters. Since his first appearance on 28 February, making him the third youngest player in history to play an official match in a River Plate shirt, the native of Azul has continued to break records for precocity.
A rising star with an increasing clause
Just ten days after his first official match with the Whites and Reds, the youngster repeated the feat and broke another record. Scoring his first goal in an Argentine Cup match and a 3-0 victory against Excursionistas, he broke the record for the youngest goalscorer in River Plate’s history, previously held by former Real Madrid player Javier Pedro Saviola. Another record came on 25 February 2024 against Boca Juniors when he became the youngest player to play in a Superclásico.
On 19 March of the same year, the club’s management offered him a contract extension until December 2026, which he accepted, and his release clause, which was €30 million when he signed with the club, rose to €45 million, the highest in Argentine football.
A record-breaker catching the eye
Franco Mastantuano’s record-breaking story did not stop with his contract extension. A few days later, he made his mark in the Copa Libertadores by scoring the winning goal in River Plate’s 2-1 victory against Club Libertad, becoming, at 16 years, 8 months, and 10 days, the youngest goalscorer for his club in the competition, breaking the previous record of 17 years, 2 months, and 13 days held by the same Javier Pedro Saviola, and ranking as the fourth youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history. This was on 24 April 2024.
From goalscorer to playmaker… On 30 May 2024, after providing an assist against Deportivo Tachira, he became the youngest player to score and assist in a competition organised by CONMEBOL or UEFA. His performances and records earned him a call-up to the national under-17 team by Pablo Aimar and then the under-19 team by Javier Mascherano.
The hunt is on…
Alerted to the presence of such a gem, the big clubs of the old continent, led by Real Madrid, are rushing to attack. Keen to bolster their squad plagued by injuries and poor form, Florentino Perez has expressed the idea of recruiting the Argentine prodigy and is determined to leave no stone unturned to achieve his goal.
Last June, Sport revealed that Real Madrid had reached an agreement with the player’s agent regarding his salary and that a verbal agreement had been sealed, pending River Plate’s approval, which would not accept any offer below €45 million for the deal to be concluded. This could tempt them to outdo their rivals at Barça, who would like to see the attacking midfielder with 7 starts establish a flawless partnership with Lamine Yamal.
According to Mundo Deportivo, as reported by Foot Mercato, the Catalan club has sent a horde of emissaries to scout the youngster during Argentine championship matches.
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