Franco Mastantuono disappears from Xabi Alonso's starting lineups

The new Santiago Bernabéu, redesigned down to the last detail and even insulated from external noise, fails to silence one of the most uncomfortable internal debates at Real Madrid. Amidst a sporting crisis that has placed Xabi Alonso at the center of criticism, a situation is emerging that is beginning to cause concern at the white club.

The protagonist is Franco Mastantuono, the young Argentine hope signed last summer for a hefty sum of 45 million euros. A footballer destined to make history who has abruptly disappeared from the Basque coach's starting lineups.

Mastantuono: A promising start that invited optimism

The arrival of Mastantuono from River Plate was celebrated as a strategic bet for the present and future. At just 18 years old, the midfielder born in Azul burst onto the scene with even more prominence than expected. In the early stages of the season, the Argentine started in 9 of the first 14 official matches played between LaLiga and the Champions League. Furthermore, he delivered on performance: one goal, one assist, and active participation in build-up play.

The turning point came on November 3, when the club issued a medical report announcing that Mastantuono was suffering from osteitis pubis. A condition shared that autumn by other top-level footballers, such as Lamine Yamal or Nico Williams. If this case were a movie, it could easily be titled "What Osteitis Pubis Took Away". Because, since then, nothing has been the same for the young Argentine.

Medical discharge… and total disappearance of Mastantuono

What is most striking is not just the initial impact of the injury, but what happened afterward. Since Mastantuono was medically cleared, his presence in the team has evaporated. The midfielder has been unseen and has failed to play a single minute in four consecutive official matches. A total absence that contrasts with his specific importance at the start of the season.

The change in Xabi Alonso's approach goes far beyond a specific rotation or a progressive management of minutes. Mastantuono has not only stopped being a starter, but has completely disappeared from the equation. A decision that is even more difficult to explain when observing that even players with a clearly secondary role have had more opportunities.

The most significant example is that of Endrick. The Brazilian, with a loan agreed for the Christmas market, has enjoyed more minutes than Mastantuono in this part of the season. This data reinforces the feeling that the Argentine has been relegated to the background, a situation that is difficult to justify from a sporting perspective.

Xabi Alonso, Under Pressure and on the Brink of Dismissal

Mastantuono's situation arises in a delicate context for the Basque coach. The poor results and the team's inconsistent performance have placed Xabi Alonso in the eye of the storm. Every decision is beginning to be scrutinized, and the management of one of the most expensive and promising signings of the summer has become a new focus of criticism.

In the player's circle, calm is maintained, but concern is not hidden. Mastantuono arrived in Madrid with the idea of growing, competing, and progressively settling in, not of falling into obscurity after recovering from an injury. At just 18 years old, the Argentine remains a project of enormous value, but his evolution depends directly on the coach's confidence and competitive continuity.