Franco Mastantuono: Rising Star of Real Madrid
Franco Mastantuono has already made a mark in the annals of Real Madrid history. The Argentine prodigy embarked on a promising journey at the Santiago Bernabéu following his €45 million transfer from River Plate this summer. He celebrated his first goal for the club this Wednesday during a commanding 4-1 victory against Levante. With this achievement, he has become the fourth youngest goalscorer in LaLiga history for Real Madrid, surpassing notable players such as Vinicius Junior (fifth) and Rodrygo (tenth). In the same match, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappé also found the net, contributing to Los Blancos’ impressive triumph.
Mastantuono was just 18 years, one month, and nine days old when he scored against Levante. Only three players have managed to achieve this at a younger age. The record for the youngest scorer belongs to former midfielder Alberto Rivera, who netted his first goal at 17 years and three months in 1995. Club legend Raúl follows him, having scored at 17 years and four months in 1994, while current sensation Endrick scored at 18 years, one month, and four days last year. Overall, 12 players have scored for Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight before turning 19.
Mastantuono showcased his talent during this summer’s Club World Cup with River Plate before becoming the club’s record sale. His transfer exceeded the previous record set by Claudio Echeverri, who moved to Manchester City for €18.5m. Despite just turning 18, Mastantuono had already made 64 senior appearances for River Plate, debuting at the young age of 16 in January 2024, making him their third-youngest player ever. Scott Christensen, Transfermarkt’s South American Area Manager, remarked, “He started playing first division football for a top club like River at just 16 years old. It’s a unique situation that generates a lot of excitement. He has a remarkable personality, and in high-pressure situations like the Copa Libertadores or the ‘Superclasico’ against Boca Juniors, he was entrusted with important responsibilities.”
