Real Madrid has officially announced the signing of 17-year-old Argentinian sensation Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. The young attacking midfielder will join the Spanish giants on August 14, 2025, coinciding with his 18th birthday. Mastantuono's contract with Real Madrid extends until June 30, 2031, securing his future with the club for the next six seasons.

The transfer fee is reported to be around €45 million, activating his release clause with River Plate. Some reports indicate the overall deal could reach €63 million. This significant investment underscores Real Madrid's belief in Mastantuono's immense potential and their desire to secure his services amidst competition from other top European clubs. Notably, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Chelsea were also reportedly interested in the young Argentinian.

Mastantuono's rise has been meteoric. He progressed through River Plate's youth academy from 2019 to 2024, making his first-team debut during the 2024-2025 season. In February 2024, he etched his name in the club's history books as the youngest-ever goalscorer for River Plate. He has made 61 appearances for River Plate, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists.

Beyond his club achievements, Mastantuono has also made a mark on the international stage. He recently became the youngest player to ever represent Argentina in a competitive match, debuting in a World Cup qualifier against Chile on June 6, 2025. This milestone further highlights his exceptional talent and the bright future that lies ahead.

Real Madrid's acquisition of Mastantuono is part of a broader strategy to inject youthful talent into their squad. He joins other promising young players like Endrick and Dean Huijsen at the Bernabéu. The club has a track record of successfully integrating young players into their first team, as demonstrated by the development of stars like Vinícius Júnior and Eduardo Camavinga, who also arrived at a young age. Real Madrid have also recently completed the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Mastantuono will remain with River Plate to compete in the Club World Cup later this month before joining Real Madrid in August. This allows him to gain further experience and continue his development before embarking on his European journey.

With his impressive skillset,record-breaking achievements, and the reported €1 billion release clause in his contract, Franco Mastantuono is set to become one of the most exciting young prospects in world football.