Real Madrid is ready to spend €40 million to sign 16-year-old Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. The young Argentine is being called the next big star, with skills like Phil Foden. Big clubs are watching, but Madrid leads the race.
Who Is Franco Mastantuono?
Franco Mastantuono is a 17-year-old footballer from Argentina. He plays as an attacking midfielder for River Plate, one of Argentina’s biggest clubs. Even at a young age, he has already made history. He became the youngest player ever to score a goal for River Plate, breaking a record once held by Javier Saviola.
Born in Azul, a town 300 km south of Buenos Aires, Franco was good at both football and tennis. At first, his family wanted him to focus on tennis. But in 2019, River Plate offered him another chance to join their academy, and this time he said yes.
His Journey from Talent to Star
Franco stood out quickly in River Plate’s youth teams. He played in older age groups and impressed everyone. In 2023, River gave him a two-year contract with a €45 million release clause. At just 16, he had not yet played for the senior team but that changed soon.
River Plate’s coach, Martin Demichelis, gave him chances in pre-season matches. Then in January 2024, he made his official debut in a cup match. The following month, he scored his first senior goal in a Copa Argentina match.
Big Moments and Rising Fame
In 2025, Franco’s career grew even more. He became a regular starter for River Plate and played well in big matches. In April, he scored a beautiful free-kick goal against Boca Juniors, their biggest rivals. That goal went viral.
Soon after, he was called up to the Argentina national team. He became the youngest player ever to play in a competitive match for the men’s team when he came on as a substitute in a win against Chile.
Real Madrid Move and What Comes Next
Real Madrid Franco’s performances caught the eye of top clubs in Europe. Paris Saint-Germain wanted to sign him, but Real Madrid made a stronger offer. Now, the Spanish champions are ready to spend €40 million to bring him to the Bernabeu.
Madrid has signed many young South American stars recently, like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo. Franco will face big pressure to succeed, but he has the skills and confidence to grow.
Many compare him to Phil Foden of Manchester City because of his clever dribbling, sharp passing, and great long-range shooting. He still has things to improve like using his weaker foot and becoming physically stronger but his future looks bright.
Franco Mastantuono is one of the most exciting young footballers in the world, and Real Madrid hopes he’ll become their next big star.