*17-year-old becomes latest South American wonderkid at Bernabéu after Xabi Alonso’s personal intervention*
Real Madrid have pulled off one of the summer’s most exciting transfers, securing River Plate’s teenage prodigy Franco Mastantuono in a historic €63.2 million deal that shatters Argentina’s outgoing transfer record. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder – who doesn’t turn 18 until August – has signed a six-year contract through 2031 and will join Los Blancos after representing River Plate in the Club World Cup.
The Spanish giants moved swiftly to fend off late interest from PSG, paying nearly triple Mastantuono’s €18.4 million Estimated Transfer Value to secure their man two years earlier than planned. Club legend Xabi Alonso played a pivotal role, personally convincing the Argentine-Italian dual national that the Bernabéu was the ideal place to develop his frightening potential.
Why Madrid Paid Premium for Potential
Mastantuono’s meteoric rise includes:
- Becoming River Plate’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16
- Winning the Argentine Supercup in 2024
- Earning a senior Argentina cap as their youngest debutant in history
The deal’s financial breakdown reveals:
€45m to River Plate
€11.8m in Spanish taxes
€6.4m in various Argentine football contributions
Continuing a South American Legacy
The wunderkind follows in the footsteps of Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo and Endrick as Madrid’s latest South American investment. While the fee raises eyebrows for an unproven teenager, Los Blancos’ track record with young talents suggests they see Mastantuono as a future superstar.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen also arriving, Madrid are building for both present and future. As Mastantuono prepares for his European adventure, one thing is clear: the Bernabéu faithful love nothing more than a dazzling young attacker – and they may have just found their next great obsession.
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