Image Credit: Real madrid (Instagram)
Real Madrid officially signed Argentine teenage forward Franco Mastantuono to a six-year deal on Thursday, marking a significant addition to the club’s young talent pool. Mastantuono, a former River Plate player, celebrated his 18th birthday on the same day he completed his medical and signed the contract alongside club president Florentino Perez.
“I promise I'll give everything I have for this shirt,” Mastantuono said after putting pen to paper. “It has always been a dream of mine to play for the greatest club in the world.” His arrival was eagerly anticipated, as Madrid had agreed to terms earlier but had to wait until the teenager reached the legal age to finalize the transfer. Reports suggest the club paid a substantial fee of 45 million euros ($52.5 million) for the 18-year-old.
During his presentation, Mastantuono was gifted a replica model of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, a luxury watch, and a jersey bearing his name and number 30. These gestures highlight Madrid’s faith in him as part of their long-term plans, as the club continues to blend youthful prospects with experienced stars.
This offseason, Madrid has also strengthened other areas, signing young Spain central defender Dean Huijsen and England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The club is entering its first season under coach Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti following a challenging 2024-25 campaign.
Last season saw Madrid lose the Spanish league title to Barcelona, fail to reach the finals of the Club World Cup and Champions League, and suffer defeats in all four clasicos against their Catalan rivals. These setbacks ultimately led to the coaching change, with Alonso, a former Madrid player, taking the reins. The club will open its La Liga campaign at home against Osasuna on Tuesday, with high hopes for a rejuvenated squad.
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