This Thursday from 1:00 PM, the presentation of Franco Mastantuono will take place. The Argentine player arrives through a transfer of 63 million euros, the most expensive between clubs in his country, at just 18 years old and with the tough mission of becoming the 'merengue' antidote to Lamine Yamal.
The player from Mataró, at 18 years old, is already a world star, candidate for the Ballon d'Or and, for many, the best footballer on the planet at the moment. The Azul player, on the other hand, arrives with the same age, but a much less stellar trajectory and the extra pressure of wearing the white shirt.
Lamine vs Mastantuono: the new duel of wingers in LaLiga
By characteristics, both play in the same position, but Lamine is much faster and a better dribbler. His mid-range shot is one of his main weapons, although the Barça '10' has a much more refined left foot.
Yamal is capable of taking shots without space practically from anywhere, while Franco needs more space and time to set up his left foot. From set pieces, however, the Argentine's strike is more 'polished'.
In that sense, Madrid intends to establish Franco as a starting right winger this season, a position where the Azulgrana youth player is, by far, the best in LaLiga and Europe without discussion. Los Blancos only scored 78 goals in La Liga in 24/25, so they expect a production close to 20 goals with the former River Plate player.
At 17 years old, Lamine participated in 22 goals in the past La Liga (9G/13A). Will Mastantuono be able to establish himself in the elite at the first opportunity? The collective functioning of Los Blancos with Xabi Alonso on the bench will have a lot to do with it.
Earn a starting spot: Franco Mastantuono's first challenge
After a first season to forget for Endrick Felipe in Chamartín, Florentino Pérez is betting on the River youth player, a much more technically refined player, a natural right winger and with experience in one of the biggest teams in South America.
However, Franco's adaptation could be complex in the Spanish capital. The forward has not played for more than a month, did not do pre-season and joins a team in full construction. Xabi Alonso is still far from defining his gala XI and, even, the base scheme is an unknown for 25/26.
The Tolosarra likes to play with a line of three at the back, but historically Madrid has always played with four defenders. A 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 can work, but perhaps not with the showiness and forcefulness that the Bernabéu stands expect after a disastrous season: without titles and overwhelmed by FC Barcelona.
On the contrary, if Xabi maintains the 4-3-3 that Carlo Ancelotti used or opts for a 4-2-3-1 it can benefit the inclusion of Mastantuono in the team. The Argentine would fight, in principle, with Rodrygo Goes for the starting spot, but the Brazilian is on the way out.
Madrid expects a lot and in a short time from Mastantuono
Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler can also be direct competition for Franco, depending on the scheme that the coach prefers. The Turk is aiming to start the season as a starter, while Jude Bellingham is injured.
Afterwards, with the Englishman back at the end of October, there will be much more competition for a place in the XI, as long as Valverde, Vinicius and Mbappé remain 'untouchable'.
In Argentina, Mastantuono scored 10 goals and 7 assists in 64 games with River. At only 17 years old, he managed to earn a starting spot and was already called up by the 'albiceleste' senior team. Even so, he will have to work hard to adapt quickly to the European elite. Because what he will have least in Madrid will be time to convince the fans and the coaching staff.