7 Reasons Why Real Madrid’s €63M Teenager Franco Mastantuono Is Truly Special

At just 17 years old, Franco Mastantuono has already swapped dreams of YouTube fame for global football stardom. 

What began as a childhood hobby—creating videos with his siblings—has transformed into a career destined for greatness, as Real Madrid finalizes a €63.2 million deal to secure the River Plate prodigy. 

Here are seven reasons why Mastantuono is considered one of the most exciting talents in world football.

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Most players spend years climbing through the ranks before leaving their mark. Not Mastantuono. In January 2024, at just 16, he made his senior debut for River Plate.

 A month later, he scored in a 3-0 win over Excursionistas to become the youngest goalscorer in River’s history.

 These moments were so defining that he’s had both dates tattooed on his left arm—a permanent tribute to the start of something great.

Few players in world football are truly comfortable using both feet to the same effect. Mastantuono is one of them. 

His ability to receive the ball with his right and instantly dribble or shoot with his left (and vice versa) gives him a unique edge. 

It helps him beat defenders in tight spaces and create time for a decisive action—be it a pass, a dribble, or a shot. His two-footedness isn't just a bonus; it's core to his style of play.

While he usually starts on the right flank of River Plate’s front three, Mastantuono doesn’t hug the touchline like a traditional winger. He prefers drifting inside, acting almost like a number 10, and using the overlapping full-back to stretch the pitch.

 This allows him to operate in central spaces, pull defenders out of position, and make quick combinations. It’s a tactical versatility that makes him unpredictable and incredibly valuable.

In River’s Club World Cup match against Urawa Red Diamonds, Mastantuono’s inward run and vision helped launch the move that led to the opening goal. He’s already showing a nuanced understanding of attacking patterns—rare for his age.

Mastantuono excels in 1v1 situations, but his dribbling isn’t flashy for show. It’s tight, controlled, and focused on changing direction quickly to unbalance defenders. 

In an April match against Gimnasia, he received the ball near the touchline, cut inside at the exact moment his defender shifted weight, and fired into the bottom corner. The goal was pure instinct and technical execution—a glimpse into what he could do regularly in Europe.

Big talents are measured by how they perform under pressure—and Mastantuono has passed that test. His stunning free-kick goal against Boca Juniors in the Superclásico is proof of his composure and technique on the biggest domestic stage. 

He’s not afraid to take responsibility, and he consistently finds ways to influence the game, whether it’s with a goal, an assist, or a decisive pass in the buildup.

Great attackers don’t just shine on the ball—they move smartly off it too. Mastantuono already shows high-level awareness in how he positions himself between the lines and how he times his runs in behind defenses. 

A perfect example came against Velez Sarsfield, when he spotted a gap in the defense, made a clever run, and—despite an overhit pass—kept his composure to turn a goalkeeper error into a goal assist. His anticipation and reaction speed make him a constant threat.

What makes Mastantuono even more exciting is that he’s nowhere near the finished product. He still has areas to improve—his decision-making in the final third, for instance, and being more aggressive when attacking crosses.

But he’s just 17, and already producing match-winning moments in senior football. He could develop into a prolific goalscoring forward, a creative midfield hub, or—best-case scenario—a combination of both.

Mastantuono once dreamed of gaining followers on YouTube. Today, his highlights are being shared by millions—not because he’s posting them, but because the world can’t stop watching him. 

His dazzling skills, sharp intelligence, and relentless drive have made him one of the most talked-about prospects in football. And with Real Madrid waiting, Franco Mastantuono’s journey is only just beginning.