Real Madrid defies 'Financial Fair Play' with the signing of Mastantuono

Published:8/06/2025 - 03:20h

Updated:8/06/2025 - 03:20h

Real Madrid has Franco Mastantuono 'tied down'. The winger has given the "yes" to a 'merengue' team that prioritizes his immediate incorporation

Real Madrid's board of directors, once again, defies the 'Financial Fair Play' with the transfer of Franco Mastantuono. Florentino Pérez has decided to pay the 40 million euros corresponding to the clause of the 'jewel' of River Plate, who will become the star signing of the white summer.

However, beyond the controversial 'merengue' budget and its usual advantage over the rest of LaLiga teams, the controversy over the signing of the Argentine player has to do with the deadlines established for his arrival. Franco will turn 18 on August 14, so he will have no problems debuting with a professional record in 25/26.

The problem is that Madrid insists on incorporating Mastantuono during the Club World Cup. Xabi Alonso's team debuts on June 18 against Saudi Al Hilal, while River will do the same a day earlier against Urawa Reds.

Real Madrid's plan to incorporate Franco Mastantuono in the Club World Cup

In that sense, the 'millionaire' team does not want to lose its star just before the continental tournament. In fact, the Argentine team's plan was to retain the Azul player until the end of the year, as Marcelo Gallardo's team will play the final phase of the Copa Libertadores from August.

What does Madrid need to have Mastantuono in the World Cup? First, for the winger to pass the medical examination this Monday or Tuesday to, subsequently, make his signing official. The market closes on June 10, but FIFA allows incorporating a couple of extra reinforcements between June 27 and July 3 for the final phase of the tournament.

The summer transfer window officially opens on June 16 in LaLiga, which gives Madrid options to sign the River Plate 'jewel' to debut from the round of 16 onwards, as long as Xabi Alonso's team passes the group stage and the footballer remains outside the 'millionaire' squad.

The second key factor in the operation has to do with Franco's Italian passport. Although the winger is underage, this will allow him to change confederation (from CONMEBOL to UEFA) without restrictions during the World Cup.

The obstacles that complicate Mastantuono's arrival in Madrid in June

However, the 17-year-old player would have to pass the medical examination in Buenos Aires, as he is called up with his national team for the match against Colombia, corresponding to matchday 16 of the South American qualifiers.

In addition, River's 'ok' to Mastantuono's departure is still missing, which is a hard blow for the 'millionaire' team. So far in 2025, the youth player has 7 goals and 4 assists in 19 matches (1,483 minutes) with Marcelo Gallardo's team, being a substitute on only one occasion.

In case of resigning to lose the 17-year-old winger in June, River will demand the total payment of his clause with immediate effect, a factor that does not benefit the 'merengues' plans either. Madrid prioritizes flexibility in the form of payment, but River will only accept this route if it manages to retain its star, at least, until August.

Will Real Madrid be able to close the signing of Franco Mastantuono in time for the Club World Cup? At the moment, the 'merengues' have Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold as reinforcements for the tournament, waiting to see what happens with the Argentine and Álvaro Carreras (Benfica).