Franco Mastantuono Avoids Comparisons with Lamine Yamal and Praises Barça's '10'
Published New:9/10/2025 - 23:09h
Updated New:9/10/2025 - 23:09h
Franco Mastantuono opened up about his potential move to Real Madrid and the inevitable comparison with Lamine Yamal. Two weeks before the first Clásico of the 25/26 season, the Argentinian assures that he "doesn't compare himself to anyone."
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will play the first Clásico of the season on October 26 at the Santiago Bernabéu. One of the main attractions of the match corresponding to matchday 10 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 will be the particular duel between Lamine Yamal and Franco Mastantuono, with the Argentinian already settled in Xabi Alonso's starting XI and the '10' of Barça physically at his peak.
Just over two weeks before the Clásico, the Real Madrid winger opened up about his opinion of the Barça 'star'. Lamine won the Kopa Trophy twice and was second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or, in addition to a European Championship, he boasts of being the most expensive transfer in history in Argentina and has already debuted the '10' for the 'albiceleste' in the September FIFA date.
Although he avoided comparisons with Yamal (both play in the same position and are 18 years old), Mastantuono made clear his respect for the player from Mataró and how he manages the pressure of being a key figure at Real Madrid.
Mastantuono Prefers Not to Compare Himself to Lamine or Other Players
"I think comparisons in football are always there, unfortunately also due to media exposure... And so that articles make sense and newspapers can grab headlines. Honestly, it doesn't bother me," the man from Azul began in an interview for the Argentinian outlet 'DSports'.
However, when referring to Lamine Yamal, Franco added: "I try not to compare myself to anyone, but to focus on my work and make sure everything goes well for me and my team." Immediately afterwards, the '30' of Madrid praised the Spanish international.
"I have always said that Lamine is a great player and that he is in an incredible moment. It's admirable."
Regarding his adaptation to Spanish football, the South American forward assures that his main objective is to "do his job on the field." "That is much more important than worrying about what the other players do, so I take it easy," said the River Plate youth player.
In his first two months with Madrid, Mastantuono has played 9 of the 10 official matches with Xabi Alonso's team, starting in 7 opportunities. The Argentine has already scored a goal against Levante (1-4) and provided an assist in the rout against Kairat (0-5) in the Champions League.
LaLiga Awaits the First Lamine Yamal vs. Franco Mastantuono Showdown in the Clásico
Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, has 2 goals and 4 assists in 5 appearances with Barça. The '10' has missed half of Hansi Flick's matches due to pubalgia, but he is confident he will be in top physical condition for the first visit of the season to the Santiago Bernabéu.
In the four Clásicos of last season, the Rocafonda native tallied 3 goals and 2 assists. The one on October 26 would be the first head-to-head with Mastauono, provided that Xabi Alonso trusts the Argentinian again to try to break the Blaugrana dominance against the Whites.
The '30' was a substitute against Atlético (5-2), a decision that did not sit well with the board after the disastrous 'merengue' defeat at the Metropolitano. Lamine, meanwhile, hopes to be medically cleared before the match against Girona.
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