An early scouting take on the 17-year-old Argentinian set to join Real Madrid this summer.
To most fans outside of Argentina, Franco Mastantuono remains an unknown quantity. Reports rave about him, yet compilation videos can feel underwhelming. Is he merely a slender version of James Rodriguez, armed with a solid left foot but limited speed? Or is he, as many passionate River Plate fans proclaim, the greatest Argentinian talent since Lionel Messi?
This “quick observations” piece won’t attempt to definitively answer that question. Instead, it offers observations after closely watching a full match of Mastantuono in action. The recommended match was the River Plate vs. Boca Juniors clash, a game highlighted by Mastantuono’s nearly 30-yard freekick goal, which provided a meaningful glimpse into his qualities.
Many Real Madrid supporters have been longing for a left-footed pure winger to complement Vinicius on the opposite flank. Although Mastantuono is indeed left-footed—almost exclusively so (*think of Arjen Robben or Angel Di Maria one-footedness)—he isn’t truly a winger. He can occupy wide areas similarly to how Isco once operated from the left, but calling him a winger would be a misnomer. Mastantuono is essentially a number 10 who possesses the versatility to drift onto the right flank—a recurring positional dilemma Real Madrid has faced in the past with talents like Isco, James, Ozil, and even now with Arda Guler. At River Plate, he typically starts as a second striker in a defensive 4-4-2 setup before shifting wide during transitions or when his team regains possession. Spanish media reports suggest Xabi Alonso envisions him centrally as a pure number 10, a logical fit considering his skillset.
One standout attribute often overlooked in highlight reels is Mastantuono’s ability to receive passes with his back to goal and turn out of it. He will have a defender pressing tight, yet will have the ability to deftly turn with the outside of his left foot. Those subtle touches out of pressure create a degree of separation to then either dribble forward or execute a vertical pass forward. He repeatedly demonstrates a capacity to maneuver in tight spaces, reminiscent of Angel Di María’s style—though Mastantuono lacks Di Maria’s outright pace, he shares the Argentine’s close control and ability to pivot under pressure. Their overall dribbling aesthetic is similar given the close control and dominant left foot.
In the match against Boca Juniors, Mastantuono had minimal defensive duties but showed a willingness to challenge aggressively and work hard off the ball to regain possession or salvage an attacking chance.
Madrid fans will get their next significant opportunity to evaluate Mastantuono during the Club World Cup, albeit still wearing River Plate’s colors. The player is not expected to join Real Madrid until after the tournament when he turns 18-years-old in August. The month of June, with close observation during the Club World Cup, may give better insight into his overall talent and fit within the first team squad.
