Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Argentine winger, is staring down a massive preseason that’s going to decide his whole future at the Bernabéu. Mundo Deportivo is reporting that this kid *has* to impress José Mourinho with his first-team skills, or he’s getting shipped out on loan before the season even kicks off. Talk about pressure right out the gate, man.
The Price Tag Doesn’t Lie, But Neither Do The Numbers
Let’s be real, Mastantuono’s first year in Madrid was a rough one. This former River Plate attacker had an uneven campaign, making 35 appearances but only starting 17 of those. He completed a full 90 minutes just once. He chipped in with three goals and one assist across 1,484 minutes on the field. The big deal here? Real Madrid shelled out a whopping €60 million for him, and honestly, those numbers didn’t even come close to justifying that kind of money. His playing time actually dropped off as the season wore on, especially after Arbeloa showed up and with the team getting ready for Mourinho’s new system. To make things worse, Lionel Scaloni didn’t even call him up for the World Cup squad, which is a huge red flag and just screams that there’s still a massive gap between his insane potential and what he’s actually producing right now.
Mourinho’s Gauntlet: An Open Flank, But Zero Room For Error
Here’s the kicker: Mastantuono is one of only eight first-team players who have already reported for Mourinho’s opening sessions at Valdebebas. This gives him a golden chance, an early jump to make a statement before the rest of the squad rolls back in from international duty. And get this: the timing could not be more perfect. Rodrygo is out until November or December because of a serious knee injury he picked up back in March, and Arda Güler is still chilling on holiday. That leaves the entire right flank wide open for the first few preseason friendlies. That’s a real window, no joke, but the pressure is just as real. Everyone knows Mourinho’s preseason standards are brutal. His history with young wide players tells you everything you need to know: tactical discipline and getting back on defense are gonna matter just as much as any fancy creative moves. Mastantuono’s natural game is being a left-footed attacking creator, so trying to adapt all that to Mourinho’s demands in just a few weeks of pre-competitive training? That’s gonna be no easy task at all.
This preseason is basically Mastantuono’s final shot to prove himself to the Portuguese coach. If he doesn’t make the cut, Mundo Deportivo says a loan to another La Liga team or a high-level European club is the most likely outcome. That route would at least let him rack up some minutes and get his momentum back without Real Madrid completely writing off that massive fee they paid. The final call on his squad spot will solidify around Mourinho’s first competitive selections and as the summer transfer window closes out. For now, man, that right flank is absolutely Mastantuono’s to lose. It’s showtime.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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