Real Madrid Stunned! "We Saw What He Can Do," Say Blancos After Mastantuono Masterclass!

River Plate's 3-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the 2025 Club World Cup not only secured the Millonario's advance but also left an unforgettable impression on Real Madrid. River's young gem, Franco Mastantuono, just 17 years old, dazzled to such an extent that reactions from within the Merengue camp were swift, confirming the immense interest of the white club in his signing and development.

The words of Dean Huijsen, the 20-year-old promising talent who just arrived at Real Madrid, and the statements from Real Madrid's new coach (who will officially take charge in the debut against Al-Hilal), make it clear that Mastantuono is a top priority and that the Spanish capital club plans to count on him immediately after the competition in the United States. His performance wasn't just seen; it was highly valued and led to a concrete plan of action.

Mastantuono's Impact Through Real Madrid's Eyes

The presence of Real Madrid scouts and directors at River Plate matches is nothing new, given the Argentine club's reputation as a cradle of talent. However, Franco Mastantuono's performance against Urawa Red Diamonds seems to have exceeded all expectations.

• Dean Huijsen's Admiration: Young Spanish-Dutch defender Dean Huijsen, who also represents Real Madrid's future, didn't hesitate to praise Mastantuono: "We've seen what he can do, he has a lot of potential, and we want to get to know him." This statement from a peer, who shares the same developmental path, is a strong indicator of the quality Mastantuono projects among his contemporaries at the elite level.
• The New Coach's Verdict: The most decisive opinion came from Real Madrid's new head coach. Although his official debut will be against Al-Hilal, he was already watching River's match and spared no praise for the Argentine midfielder: "His ambition surprised me when I spoke with him. I saw him at River and we liked him a lot. We just watched the game. In August we will have him with us." This statement is a resounding confirmation of their interest and their intention to immediately incorporate him into the Merengue squad. The mention of his "ambition" in a previous conversation suggests that they value not only his talent on the field but also his mentality.
• Decision to Count on Him "Immediately": The last part of the Merengue coach's statement is key: "they plan to count on the Argentine immediately after the competition in the United States." This is not a distant future promise but a commitment to integrate him as soon as possible, which speaks to the value they place on him and the urgency to add his talent to the squad.

Mastantuono's performance at the Club World Cup was, for Real Madrid, the confirmation of what they already suspected: they are facing a generational talent that must be secured.

Real Madrid is not known for letting top football prospects slip away. Their strategy of acquiring young talents with high potential has been successful in recent years, and Franco Mastantuono fits perfectly into that mold.

• Post-Club World Cup Integration: The immediacy with which the Merengue coach plans to have Mastantuono in August, after the tournament in the U.S. concludes, suggests they already have a detailed integration plan. This is not a signing for Castilla (the reserve team) or for a loan; the intention is for him to be part of the first-team dynamics as soon as possible.
• Development Potential: At 17, Mastantuono still has enormous room for growth. Real Madrid, with its structure and experience in developing young stars, as seen with Vinicius Jr. or Rodrygo, offers the ideal environment for the Argentine to reach his full potential.
• Competition and Adaptation: Integrating into one of the biggest clubs in the world will involve an adaptation challenge, both football-wise and personally. However, his "ambition," highlighted by the coach, will be a key factor in overcoming this stage. Internal competition at Real Madrid is fierce, but it's in that environment that great players are forged.

Franco Mastantuono's path seems increasingly linked to Real Madrid. His dazzling performance at the Club World Cup served as the final validation for the white club, which is now moving forward with clear determination: to sign this Argentine gem and give him the opportunity to shine at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Merengue faithful are already eagerly awaiting to see what this young talent can bring.