In the course of the September worldwide break, Franco Mastantuono took main strides with the Argentina nationwide workforce. He made his first begin in opposition to Venezuela within the World Cup qualifiers and, just some days later, wore the enduring No. 10 shirt in opposition to Ecuador in Lionel Messi’s absence. Again with Actual Madrid, nonetheless, the winger was the topic of a tricky admission from head coach Xabi Alonso.
In current days, hypothesis had grown round the potential of Mastantuono being included in Argentina’s squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, set to be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19. Nonetheless, collaborating within the event would imply lacking a number of video games for Actual Madrid in each La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Requested about this risk, Xabi Alonso was brutally trustworthy. “If it is determined by us, he stays with us,” the pinnacle coach mentioned throughout Friday’s press convention forward of Saturday’s match between Los Blancos and Actual Sociedad.
Alonso’s temporary but decisive reply carries vital weight in forecasting what lies forward for Mastantuono. The U-20 World Cup shouldn’t be a compulsory launch event beneath FIFA rules, which means golf equipment will not be obliged to permit gamers to take part.
Franco Mastantuono taking part in for Actual Madrid.
In line with stories, the Argentine Soccer Affiliation had hoped to barter with golf equipment to achieve a pleasant settlement that will permit them to area high expertise for the event. With that in thoughts, they plan to ship emissaries to Europe to fulfill with Actual Madrid and different golf equipment in related conditions. Nonetheless, given Alonso’s agency stance, the room for negotiation seems restricted.
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Mastantuono’s rising function at Actual Madrid
Xabi Alonso’s reluctance to launch Mastantuono for the U-20 World Cup aligns with Actual Madrid’s general stance—and it’s comprehensible, contemplating the rising function the younger Argentine winger has taken on since his arrival in Spain this summer season.
At simply 18 years outdated, Franco has rapidly established himself inside Alonso’s system, turning into one of many workforce’s major attacking choices. To this point, Mastantuono has featured in each match for Actual Madrid within the 2025–26 season.
He began on the bench within the La Liga opener in opposition to Osasuna, approaching for Brahim Diaz within the closing 22 minutes. Only a week later, he earned a spot within the beginning lineup—taking part in 63 minutes in opposition to Actual Oviedo and 66 minutes in opposition to Mallorca, being subbed off for Diaz in each matches.
Argentina intention to reassert their dominance
It’s no shock Argentina need Franco Mastantuono within the squad for the U-20 World Cup. The Actual Madrid winger is taken into account one of many brightest younger skills in world soccer and could be a key addition for head coach Diego Placente forward of the event in Chile.
Argentina want to finish an 18-year title drought on the U-20 stage. Their final championship got here in Canada 2007, after they lifted the trophy with a squad that included future stars like Sergio Agüero, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Romero, and Alejandro Papu Gomez.
They continue to be probably the most profitable nation in U-20 World Cup historical past, with six titles: 1979 (led by Diego Armando Maradona), 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005 (with Lionel Messi), and 2007. Brazil is second within the rankings with 5 championships.
