Franco Mastantuono is now officially a Real Madrid player. On Thursday, August 14, the Argentine turned 18 and can now say he is a member of the Merengue squad. It was a day he will never forget. His day began with a medical examination at the Blua Sanitas Valdebebas Hospital.
After passing all the tests, Mastantuono signed his contract at the offices and was officially presented by Florentino Pérez at the Ciudad Deportiva sports complex. The right winger arrived in Madrid on August 3, but due to FIFA regulations that prevent the immediate incorporation of non-EU minors, he had to remain on the sidelines until he turned 18.
However, he began an individual adaptation plan designed by the coaching staff under the supervision of Xabi Alonso. But now, the fun begins. The Argentine will meet his teammates this Friday, August 15, for his first training session in Valdebebas at 10:30 a.m. (peninsular time). His eagerly awaited debut is scheduled for August 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu against Osasuna in La Liga.
Franco Mastantuono, at a press conference
On his feelings and his birthday “I’m very happy. I feel immense joy. It was always a dream to play for Real Madrid. And even more so on my birthday. It’s a dream come true for me.”
How did your signing come about? “I’m very grateful for the fans’ affection. When it was made official, I was still at River and my head was at River. But when I arrived, my focus changed to this great club.“
How would you define yourself as a player? ”I’m an attacking player, left-footed, who likes to play on the right. I’m going to give my all to help the team and for the Real Madrid fans to identify with me.”
On his phone call with Xabi Alonso: “Yes, he contacted me and it was important that the coach gave me that confidence. It was my dream to play for Real Madrid and for him to call me… It meant a lot to me.”
On Di Stéfano’s legacy: “I said that my first dream as a footballer was to play for River and I achieved it. It’s the biggest club in America. I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing Di Stéfano play. My grandparents did. I know what he meant. It’s a great joy to be able to move from River to Madrid like he did.“
Regaining dominance in Spain: ”Messi meant a lot to Barcelona and the Argentinians who saw him play. But Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world. I’m here to make my way. I hope the Madrid fans are happy with me.“
His media exposure: ”I handle myself calmly and sincerely. As I’ve always done in my life. There’s no need to lie. I’m going to try to continue like this. I understand all the media exposure, but I also come from River. I take it in my stride.“
His first memory of Real Madrid: ”Since I was a child, I grew up watching Real Madrid win European Cups. I hope I can experience it as a player, as I did as a child.“
His childhood dream: ”I’m fulfilling a dream. I never imagined I’d have a birthday like this. It’s a dream for any footballer.“
Role models in the dressing room: ”I have many. Every season there are incredible players. It’s nice to be at a club like Real Madrid. I saw Jude Bellingham today. We were at the medical together. I love him as a player. He welcomed me.“
On the Argentina national team: ”I’m thinking about the present, about what’s coming up. It’s my dream and my goal is to be in the World Cup. Tomorrow I start training with the team.“
How it was between: ”I was a little anxious because I wanted to join the team. I didn’t know Madrid, it’s a very beautiful city. Now I have to think about what’s coming up.”
Any advice you’ve been given? “I don’t spend much time on my phone. I try not to look at it. That’s why my people are with me. They’re the ones who guide me and the ones I talk to. My teammates on the national team too.”
The number 30: “I asked the president if I could wear the number 30. It’s an important number for me; I wore it at River.”
On his position: “I’ll see how I can help the team. How I can help the coach. I’m here to help. I played on the right but I can play inside. I’ll do whatever the coach asks me to do.”
His failure to sign for Paris Saint-Germain: “It’s true that several teams were interested in me. I’m very grateful to them and I respect them. I was lucky enough to speak to Luis Enrique. He was clear with me. I congratulate him on the European Super Cup. I have a lot of respect for him. I’m very grateful to him.“
His Argentine role model at Madrid and who is the best player in the world: ”I looked at everyone. We could see Argentines at Real Madrid. I didn’t see Di Stéfano, but I did see Di María and Higuaín. For me, the best player in the world is Messi.”
On settling in: “I’ll see how it goes in training tomorrow and I’ll know better. I want to settle in as quickly as possible so I can compete.”
On tennis: “From the age of three or four, I played soccer at my father’s school. Tennis came later. The decision wasn’t very difficult, River wanted to take me to play in their youth teams… My dream was to be a soccer player.”
On the level of La Liga: “In Spain, they play a lot with possession. It’s tactical soccer, and I like it. The pace is obviously higher, but I hope to do well.”
His next dream: “I just fulfilled one, and we’re already thinking about another… (laughs). Now the next one is to put on this jersey and win titles.”