Real Madrid Signs Argentina’s Franco Mastantuono in Historic Transfer Deal

Real Madrid has added exciting young talent to its ranks by bringing in Franco Mastantuono, the highly regarded 17-year-old midfielder from River Plate.

The Argentine prospect has agreed to a contract that will keep him at the club until 2031, with his move becoming official on August 14, his 18th birthday. He will be joining the squad after the conclusion of the Club World Cup.

Mastantuono has already left a mark in his home country, having made history as the youngest player to score in a Superclásico between River Plate and Boca Juniors. He also set a national record by becoming the youngest Argentine to appear in a competitive international, featuring in a World Cup qualifier against Chile.

This marks Real Madrid’s third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The agreement between the clubs is reported to be worth around $72.6 million, which River Plate says is the most expensive transfer in the nation’s footballing history.

The club successfully fended off competition from major European sides like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, who were also monitoring the player after his standout performance in April’s Superclásico. Juni Calafat, the head of Madrid’s scouting operations, was pivotal in the deal, personally visiting Argentina to help bring the transfer to completion.

Mastantuono’s recruitment fits into Madrid’s broader vision of identifying and securing world-class young players early in their careers, reinforcing their commitment to building a dominant team for the future.