Nóng: Just arrived at Real Madrid, the 'little Messi' is already considering leaving for a big club

Franco Mastantuono - the 18-year-old Argentine prodigy currently excelling at Real Madrid, has caused a buzz in Spain by revealing his desire to go back to his home club River Plate soon.

At only 18, Franco Mastantuono is among the most talked-about young footballers globally. After leaving River Plate to join Real Madrid, the Argentine player quickly made a strong impression with his mature performance and skills far beyond his years. However, while enjoying the best moments of his career, a surprising statement from him has worried Real fans and stirred excitement back in Argentina.

At River Plate, Mastantuono was regarded as a South American football gem. At just 16, he debuted in the Argentine Championship and quickly became a key player. His delicate left foot, vision, and composure led Real Madrid to pay €45 million to trigger his release clause—an amount that reflects the royal club’s strong faith in him.

Upon joining Real Madrid, Mastantuono immediately proved he was not overwhelmed. In his first matches, he played confidently, scored his first goal against Levante, and earned high praise from the Spanish press. Besides his talent, he showed a rare calmness for an 18-year-old player.

The young Argentine’s pride grew when he was given the number 10 shirt of Lionel Messi in the National Team. In the recent South American qualifiers, Mastantuono shared: “It’s a dream I never thought I could achieve so soon.”

However, he shocked everyone by confessing: “Honestly, I really want to return to River in the future. It’s the club I have always loved and followed every day.”

He also did not forget to thank his first mentors like Marcelo Gallardo and Martín Demichelis—those who discovered and nurtured him since his youth. For Mastantuono, they laid the foundation for his journey to the top today.

Currently, Mastantuono is training with the Argentina national team in Miami, preparing for friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. He has a long future ahead, but his story already serves as a vivid example of passion, love for his homeland, and the resilience of a new generation talent.

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