Xabi Alonso Hails Franco Mastantuono’s Arrival at Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, is thrilled with the addition of Franco Mastantuono. Alonso believes that his personality, competitiveness, and energy are vital for the team. The coach expressed his delight at securing the Argentine talent’s signature, who joined Real Madrid this summer for €45 million, and is confident that the club will benefit from his skills for many years to come according to reports.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mastantuono, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder, officially joined Real Madrid from River Plate this summer. Despite his young age, Alonso was immediately impressed by Mastantuono’s confidence and maturity. He already had 64 senior appearances for River Plate and his debut for the Argentina national team under his belt before moving to Spain. Alonso is convinced that Mastantuono, who had caught the attention of several other top European clubs, will quickly settle into life at Real Madrid. The coach has praised the midfielder’s left foot, commitment, and competitive spirit. Mastantuono made his debut for the club, coming off the bench to help secure a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their LaLiga opener. Notably, he has made an immediate impact, showcasing his potential in just two games with Real Madrid as noted by Alonso.

REAL MADRID’S NEW ERA

Real Madrid are entering the new 2025-26 campaign aiming to recover from a miserable, trophyless campaign last time out. As well as Mastantuono, Alonso has welcomed a number of additions to his squad this summer, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, and Dean Huijsen. Meanwhile, the coach has also committed to promoting youth, leading to a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. Alonso is confident that these fresh faces can help Madrid regain their edge as they aim to compete both domestically and in Europe. In fact, Real Madrid have made a perfect start to the 2025-26 league season, winning all five of their matches so far according to recent reports. The club is determined to keep pressure on early leaders in the standings after securing three points in their opening league game.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MASTANTUONO AND MADRID?

Madrid’s next LaLiga match is at home against Villarreal, who finished fifth last season and are only two points behind Real Madrid in 3rd place. However, they come from a loss against Atletico de Madrid, a team that is currently seventh in the league. Mastantuono is expected to get more minutes on the pitch as Alonso continues to integrate him into the team. The midfielder’s debut already showed flashes of his talent, leaving fans eager to see more. Surrounded by experienced players and under the guidance of Alonso, Mastantuono is expected to develop into one of the most talked-about young talents in European football. Every point will be crucial as Madrid look to regain their place at the top of the table and avoid another trophyless season.