Franco Mastantuono has formally written his first chapter in Actual Madrid historical past. The 18-year-old Argentine prodigy debuted within the UEFA Champions League on the Santiago Bernabéu, making him the youngest overseas participant ever to look for Actual Madrid within the competitors. At simply 18 years and 33 days outdated, Mastantuono broke the report beforehand held by his teammate Endrick, who debuted final season at 18 years and 58 days.
The environment on the Bernabéu was electrical as Mastantuono stepped onto the pitch, with followers conscious they had been witnessing the delivery of one other potential celebrity in Madrid’s lengthy line of legends. His debut isn’t solely a private milestone but additionally an indication of belief from Xabi Alonso, who continues to wager on youth expertise regardless of the membership’s world-class depth.
Whereas his first goal was merely to debut, Mastantuono now has his eyes on one other milestone: turning into Actual Madrid’s youngest goalscorer in Champions League historical past. That report additionally belongs to Endrick, who scored on his debut final season. If Mastantuono finds the web within the coming matches, he would surpass Endrick by 25 days, cementing his place as a record-breaking expertise.
Given his attacking instincts, technical potential, and confidence on the ball, few could be stunned if the Argentine cracks that mark sooner somewhat than later. For Madridistas, each contact of the teen was a glimpse of the long run.
Mastantuono was the most costly switch in Actual Madrid’s historical past.
From River Plate to Madrid glory
Mastantuono’s story has at all times been one in all precocity. Earlier than arriving in Spain, he had already shattered information with River Plate, turning into:
- The youngest participant to attain a purpose in River Plate’s historical past (16 years, 5 months, 24 days), surpassing Javier Saviola.
- The youngest participant to attain in opposition to Boca Juniors in an official match, cementing his identify in Argentina’s most heated rivalry.
- The youngest participant to attain within the Copa Libertadores for River Plate, doing so at 16 years, 8 months, and 10 days.
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Final week, he additionally achieved one thing symbolic again house: turning into the youngest participant to ever put on Argentina’s No. 10 jersey, breaking a report as soon as linked to legends like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Madrid’s future shines vibrant
For Actual Madrid, Mastantuono’s debut is extra than simply numbers—it’s a glimpse of what’s forward. With Mbappé, Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham already forming the spine of a brand new period, Mastantuono’s breakthrough strengthens the membership’s imaginative and prescient of constructing round a brand new era of stars.
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Followers left the Bernabéu with the sensation they’d simply witnessed the delivery of Madrid’s subsequent nice overseas celebrity. Whether or not or not he breaks the scoring report in Europe this season, Mastantuono’s path is already paved with milestones, and his story is simply starting.