Every day that passes is one day closer to Franco Mastantuono becoming a player for Real Madrid. Officially announced on June 13, the Argentine has started the countdown to training with his new teammates. The club finalized the signing of the player after a total payment of more than €63 million, including the clause to River Plate and taxes to the government. He was offered a six-season contract with an annual salary of €3.5 million net. With all these details known, all that remains is for him to be presented.
And it seems that there is already a confirmed date for Franco Mastantuono to wear the Real Madrid shirt for the first time. According to Ramón Álvarez de Mon and journalist Uriel Iugt, the former River Plate player will be presented on August 14, his 18th birthday. As reported by the two journalists, the left winger will also train with the first team on the same day. Pending confirmation of the schedule, Franco will first undergo a medical examination at the Blua Sanitas Valdebebas Hospital before posing alongside Florentino Pérez in the main hall of the Ciudad Deportiva. When the event is over, the Argentine will address the media at a press conference.
🚨🇦🇷Franco Mastantuono is set to be presented as a new #RealMadrid player on Thursday.
✴️ He will begin training with the squad on the same day. @Ramon_AlvarezMM 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/6ONj0oYPGT
— Uriel Iugt (@urieliugt) August 8, 2025
Mastantuono is already in Madrid
Franco Mastantuono has already arrived in Madrid. On August 3, the promising 17-year-old Argentine striker arrived in the Spanish capital to gradually join Real Madrid. However, he cannot officially train with the team yet. He will do so on August 14, when he turns 18 and his contract with the club comes into effect. This restriction is due to FIFA regulations that require non-EU players under the age of 18 to wait before signing and training with a European club. But Madrid fans need not worry, because Franco will be ready to go.
During his time in the Spanish capital, Mastantuono has not been on vacation. He has been following a specific individual plan to speed up his adaptation to the club before joining the group. A roadmap specifically drawn up by the staff of Xabi Alonso. The Tolosa native is paying close attention and has high expectations. Real Madrid’s new coach is confident that Franco can play an important role from the start. His versatility allows him to play in several attacking positions: he could be a temporary replacement for Jude Bellingham while he recovers from shoulder surgery. He could also play as a right winger, replacing Rodrygo Goes, or compete with and complement Arda Güler in creating play. His style of play is characterized by his maturity, vision, and ability to think like a veteran, as well as his speed and elegance on the field. He is expected to make his debut on August 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu at 9:00 p.m. against Osasuna.
What number will Mastantuono wear?
The mystery surrounding Mastantuono’s shirt number will remain until his official presentation. He has very few options. Initially, Franco wanted the number 10. But Kylian Mbappé beat him to it. “It’s his right,” the Argentine said ironically. So, he has few options left. There is the number 9, which the Frenchman has just vacated. There are few possibilities, as this number is disputed between Endrick and Gonzalo. So Franco Mastantuono is aiming for the number ‘25’, the only one available.
🗣️ Franco Mastantuono: “I’d like to be Real Madrid’s number 10, but if Mbappé has it, he has every right to it.” 😂😂🤍 pic.twitter.com/yn6zykcau2
— REAL MADRID FANS 🤍 (@AdriRM33) August 1, 2025