Franco Mastantuono will arrive in Madrid in the next few hours to join Xabi Alonso‘s team on Monday. His express signing for Real Madrid is a huge challenge for a player who is still only 18 years old and has never played in European football. However, expectations and hopes are high, and he is expected to perform well from day one. The coach believes so and has already started making plans with the Argentine in the starting 11.
An express signing
With Calafat at the helm, Real Madrid is always on the lookout for great talents in the Latin American market, which is why Franco Mastantuono had been on their radar for some time. He was not a priority for the club, which was following him closely on the recommendation of Santiago Solari. However, at a certain point, the arrival of PSG on the scene prompted the Whites to go all out for a signing that was completed in just a few days after the first move was made.
Despite the interest of Luis Enrique’s side, as soon as Real Madrid made their move, Mastantuono had no doubts. It had always been his dream to play for Real Madrid. Negotiations with River Plate were straightforward as the two clubs have a good relationship. The deal was closed for a figure in excess of $60 million and the player was officially announced on June 13. As he was not yet of age and at the request of the Argentine club, he played in the Club World Cup, wearing the River shirt. He signed a six-year contract with the Whites.
Mastantuono brings forward his arrival
In the announcement of his signing, Real Madrid already stated that he would be a player for the team from August 14, which is when Franco Mastantuono turns 18. However, the Argentine player has decided to bring forward his arrival at Real Madrid to start working with Xabi Alonso as soon as possible. Specifically, he is expected to land in Madrid this weekend, but he will not join the group until August 14. However, he will already be working specifically with Xabi Alonso’s staff.
How the new signing plays
Despite his youth and lack of experience, Mastantuono looks set to be Real Madrid’s star signing. His talent on the pitch is unquestionable. If you had to define the Argentine, it would be as a left-footed attacking midfielder who usually starts on the right wing, elegant and with a great shot. The player has already more than proven his worth with a meteoric rise at River and even making his debut with Scaloni in the Argentine national team. The leap he is about to take is a big one, and he is very young, so it is important to tread carefully, but Mastantuono has already shown great vision and judgment when it comes to playing the ball. He knows how to slow the game down, hold onto the ball, and look for the best passing option.
Xabi Alonso’s plans for Mastantuono: a starter?
With that introduction, it is no surprise that Xabi Alonso has big plans for the player. The club has complete confidence in Mastantuono, and there is talk that he will be a starter from the outset. The idea is for him to adapt to the philosophy that the coach already applies with Arda Güler and to work on the areas that need improvement.
The player has already been in Argentina following a specific plan in line with the club and will continue to do so upon his arrival in Madrid until the 14th, when he will begin training with the group. He will therefore have just 4-5 training sessions with the group before his league debut, where he is expected to get some playing time.
The player’s versatility points to three possible positions in the starting eleven. The first and most obvious is that he will be Plan A to cover the absence of Jube Bellingham for at least three months. He could also be the new Rodrygo, whether or not the Brazilian stays at the club, as Xabi Alonso does not count on him. The other possibility is that we will see a battle of young talent with Arda Güler for the role of the team’s brain and architect. We will have to see how he fits in, but he is part of Xabi Alonso’s plans, who hopes to get the best out of the Argentine from day one.