Talent Calendar
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River Plate is known for its good work with young people. At the start of the millennium, European clubs paid high fees for Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar; more recently, Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez have been export successes. Last year, (Site notre blog d’information) introduced Claudio Echeverri to the talent calendar, who has since moved to Manchester City and is once again playing for the Argentines on loan. Today, the next talent is making headlines: Franco Mastantuono.
At 17, Mastantuono is an integral part of River Plate’s first team. At his young age, the attacking midfielder already has the experience of 40 appearances for the 37-time Argentine champions and is even said to have attracted the attention of Real Madrid and numerous Premier League clubs. “Mastantuono has been linked to Real Madrid and I’m sure if he doesn’t become Real he will still end up at a big European club,” Scott Christensen, Argentina regional manager at TM, said in September after Mastantuono’s market . Upgrade value to 13 million euros.
“He started playing in the first division at a big club like River when he was just 16 years old. So there’s a lot of enthusiasm because it’s common in Argentina. He has a great personality. In difficult moments, like the Copa Libertadores matches or the Superclasico against Boca Juniors, he is a reliable man. Mastantuono recently came on as a substitute in a heated Copa Libertadores semi-final at El Monumental,” says Christensen. Mastantuono will make his debut in January 2024 at the age of 16 years, 5 months and 14 days, making him River’s second youngest professional since 2000. He is also the third youngest goalscorer in the Argentine championship during this period after Sergio Aguero and Gustavo. Rodas.
Mastantuono: A mix of De Paul and Foden
Mastantuono plays in attacking midfield and there are of course comparisons to Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. However, in Christensen’s eyes, the 17-year-old looks like an English professional. “Like many Argentines, he is an agile attacking midfielder. He is very talented, has a good left (Site notre bureau spécialisé) and can play between the lines very well. His movements make him difficult to grab. He is very creative, has a good shot and a good passing game. When I look at European (Site notre bureau spécialisé), I think Phil Foden is quite similar.
Christensen also highlights Mastantuono’s ability to play without the ball, drawing parallels to an Argentine World Cup winner. “He reminds me of the young Rodrigo De Paul when he played in Argentina. Mastantuono is the type of player who puts pressure on defenders, moves, looks for the ball and is always an option for his teammates. He is quite annoying for a defender because he doesn’t stay still and is always on the move. I think he’s a mix of De Paul and Foden.
Can Mastantuono become River Plate’s record start?
Mastantuono has long been on the radar of Europe’s top clubs and a move is becoming increasingly likely. River Plate’s most expensive sale to date was that of Enzo Fernández, who Benfica paid over €44 million for in the summer of 2022. He reportedly has a €45 million release clause in his contract, which ends at the end of 2026, but Christensen believes it is likely that River Plate will let him leave for a fee between €20 million and €25 million. This would put Mastantouno in a similar sphere to Aimar and Alvarez.
Christensen justifies the fact that Mastantuono’s market value now stands at 15 million euros and is not even higher in the Argentine market. “For example, if the player played in Brazil, his market value would be higher because of the market. In Argentina the situation is different and the economy is strong enough that clubs and market value cannot be so high. » After his teammate Echeverri, Mastantuono is the second most valuable (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er in the Argentine league. He is the sixth most valuable player in his year, topped by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. The Brazilian Estêvão, who Chelsea have already signed, is valued at 50 million euros according to the latest update.
Christensen Mastantuono also believes he can move to the Premier League. “I think La Liga would suit him if he plays in a team like Real Madrid, who are very offensive and always in possession of the ball. But in my opinion, the Premier League would be the ideal league for him. There will definitely be a big battle between Europe’s top clubs to convince Mastantuono to sign with them. The world is at his feet. »
Every day from December 1st to 24th, (Site notre blog d’information) will present a talent from the 2007 or 2008 vintage from a different country. Sponsors, data researchers and users act as experts and report interesting facts about 24 young players from our talent calendar that you should watch closely in the future. For example with the MT Watchlist.