Who is Franco Mastantuono? Meet Real Madrid¡¯s new 17-year-old record signing from River Plate
Franco Mastantuono, River Plate¡¯s teenage sensation, has signed for Real Madrid in a record deal. The 17-year-old will join the Spanish giants after the Club World Cup. Madrid fans are eager to see what makes him special, as comparisons to Lionel Messi and Di Mar¨ªa swirl around the promising midfielder.
Real Madrid have officially signed Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder from River Plate who has already made history in Argentine football. Mastantuono will join the Spanish club in August when he turns 18, following the FIFA Club World Cup, where he will still play for River Plate. The deal is worth €63.2 million (around ?566 crore), making it the most expensive outgoing transfer in River Plate¡¯s history.
Mastantuono¡¯s rise has been fast and exciting. He made his senior debut in January 2024 at just 16 years old and soon became the youngest goalscorer in River Plate history. He also netted in the Supercl¨¢sico against Boca Juniors, becoming the youngest scorer in the rivalry. His standout moment came with a stunning free-kick goal from nearly 30 yards out, showing composure and technique well beyond his age.
What makes Franco Mastantuono special?
? #WelcomeMastantuono ? pic.twitter.com/jl6gg6MJrp
¡ª Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) June 13, 2025
Franco Mastantuono is not your typical winger. Despite being left-footed like Arjen Robben or Angel Di Mar¨ªa, he plays more like a number 10. At River Plate, he starts as a second striker in a 4-4-2 system but drifts wide during transitions. His creativity, passing, and dribbling allow him to operate comfortably in tight spaces, similar to how Isco or Mesut Ozil once did for Real Madrid.
What stands out most is his ability to receive the ball with his back to goal and turn into space with just one touch. He uses the outside of his left foot to escape pressure and either push forward or create space for a pass. Though he doesn¡¯t have Di Mar¨ªa¡¯s raw pace, he shares the same technical finesse, balance, and close control.
In his few appearances for Argentina¡¯s senior national team, he has shown confidence and maturity. In June 2025, he became the youngest player ever to feature in a competitive game for Argentina at just 17 years and 9 months.
When will Franco Mastantuono join Real Madrid?
???#WelcomeMastantuono pic.twitter.com/xl0ih1JRk0
¡ª Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) June 13, 2025
Franco Mastantuono¡¯s six-year deal with Real Madrid begins on August 14, his 18th birthday. Before that, he will compete with River Plate in the Club World Cup, giving fans one last glimpse of him in red before he switches to white. Real Madrid have now made three major signings this summer, with Mastantuono joining Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as the latest new arrivals.
Mastantuono follows in the footsteps of other Argentine stars who moved from River Plate to Real Madrid, including Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Saviola, and Santiago Solari. Time will tell whether he can match those names or even live up to the lofty comparisons with Lionel Messi.
For now, Madridistas can watch closely during the Club World Cup, where Mastantuono¡¯s next few games may hint at how ready he is for the Bernabeu spotlight.