On June 13, Real Madrid made the Franco Mastantuono saga official by announcing the signing of the 17-year-old Argentinian prodigy from River Plate . "Real Madrid CF announces that Franco Mastantuono will be a player of our club for the next six seasons, from August 14, 2025 to June 30, 2031." A transfer that will cost the Merengues no less than €45 million.
Millonarios coach Marcelo Gallardo greeted the news with a sense of fatality. "It's natural, we're training players for the world. Everything happens earlier, young people leave faster, and I understand that these are the rules of the game. He was part of our project for next season. We have to readjust, because there are players who, due to their profile, are difficult to replace ." But this transfer is mainly seen in Spain as a great victory over Paris Saint-Germain .
Real Madrid can thank Xabi Alonso
As a reminder, the Argentinian press had announced that the capital club was about to recruit Mastantuono. This announcement woke up Real Madrid, who had checked the name of the Albiceleste international, but who had put the file on hold following the increase of the release clause to €45 million last winter. Faced with Parisian interest, the Spaniards therefore acted effectively. And if the Merengues won the battle against the Red and Blue, it is largely thanks to their coach, Xabi Alonso. Interviewed on DAZN , Mastantuono explained the reasons that pushed him to snub the Parisian offer to go to Madrid.
"Every player in the world dreams of playing for River and Madrid. I want to leave River at the top because they gave me everything, and I'm very grateful. My mind is on River and I'm trying to win the tournament (the Club World Cup, editor's note). (...) The way he (Xabi Alonso, editor's note) spoke to me was incredible, and I'm very grateful. That conversation had a big influence, because the fact that the coach wants you is an important mark of confidence for a player. Leaving a club like River isn't easy, and his words really motivated me to make this leap. Playing for Madrid is a dream; I don't need to say what this club is, we all know that. It's the club that has won the most in Europe and the best club in the world. It's a new challenge in my life, a very beautiful challenge. What's happening to me is something unique, and I'm very grateful for football and life." " It is said.
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