Franco Mastantuono: “I’m Living a Dream. I’m Joining the Biggest Club in the World, Real Madrid”

Franco Mastantuono is excited and proud to soon join Real Madrid. The 18-year-old Argentine midfielder called Real Madrid the biggest club in the world.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mastantuono is joining Real Madrid from River Plate in Argentina. He will become the most expensive signing in Argentine football history after record-breaking champions Real Madrid confirmed the move. The World Cup winner’s arrival comes almost six months after the deal was agreed upon. Real Madrid is paying River Plate $72.6 million, plus add-ons for Franco Mastantuono.

Real Madrid announced on the club’s website on Wednesday morning that Mastantuono would be officially presented at Real Madrid City, and on his birthday, he would start his Real Madrid contract which runs until 2031, as confirmed in earlier reports agreed upon by both parties.

REAL MADRID AND RIVER PLATE: THIS SEASON’S PICTURE

Real Madrid finished the 2024/25 season as LaLiga runner-ups, 4 points behind Barcelona showing the need for changes and improvements starting with the arrival of new manager Xabi Alonso. They failed to win any title last season and were knocked out in the CHampions League quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Mastantuono had continued to impress for River Plate before his departure, taking part in their Copa Libertadores campaign. He also helped them win the Argentine Super Cup earlier in the year.

The rapid star, who is the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, featured 38 times for River Plate this season, scoring six goals and registering five assists across all competitions while captaining Argentina at under-20 level to prove his maturity beyond his years.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MASTANTUONO AND REAL MADRID?

The arrival of Mastantuono comes just before the LaLiga 2025/26 opener for Real Madrid, which will be against Osasuna on August 19. Real Madrid are 2nd favourites to win the title, again behind last season’s winners Barça. They will also compete in the UEFA Champions League.

Mastantuono is expected to join training immediately, but with just five sessions happening before the opening game, coaches expect him to start as a substitute before getting into the starting team. Real Madrid, always ambitious, hope their signing of Argentina’s brightest talent will help them stay ahead of Atletico de Mardid, who finished third last season.

Osasuna, who finished eighth last season, will come up against the champions with Ante Budimir likely to be star man for them. The 34 yearls old forward scored 24 goals last season, 21 of which in La Liga.