Franco Mastantuono Faces Make-or-Break Real Madrid Preseason Under José Mourinho
The €60 million Argentine winger must secure his place in the squad or face a summer loan move after an uneven debut campaign.
MADRID — Franco Mastantuono faces a defining preseason at Real Madrid as he attempts to secure his future under manager José Mourinho, according to a report by Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo. The 18-year-old Argentine winger must quickly convince the Portuguese tactician of his first-team credentials or face being loaned out before the upcoming campaign begins.
The high-stakes summer comes after a difficult debut season at the Bernabéu for the teenager. Real Madrid secured the highly rated attacker from River Plate for a hefty €60 million transfer fee, but his initial output fell short of justifying that substantial investment. Over the course of his first year in Spain, Mastantuono made 35 appearances across all competitions, but started only 17 times and completed a full 90 minutes on just one occasion. In total, he registered three goals and one assist across 1,484 minutes of action.
As the season progressed, Mastantuono saw his playing time dwindle. The arrival of Arbeloa further complicated his path to the starting lineup, and the prospect of transitioning to Mourinho’s demanding tactical methods loomed large. His domestic struggles also impacted his international prospects; Lionel Scaloni left the young winger out of Argentina’s World Cup squad, a notable omission that highlighted the gap between the player’s immense raw potential and his current output on the pitch.
However, the current preseason schedule has handed Mastantuono a timely window of opportunity. He is one of only eight first-team players who have already reported to the club’s Valdebebas training complex for the opening sessions of the summer. This early return gives him a head start to impress Mourinho before the majority of the squad returns from post-season international duties.
The dynamics of the Real Madrid squad further play into his hands. Brazilian forward Rodrygo is sidelined until November or December after suffering a serious knee injury in March, while Turkish international Arda Güler remains on holiday following his summer tournament commitments. With these key figures absent, the right flank is temporarily open for Mastantuono to stake his claim during the club’s initial friendly fixtures.
Securing a permanent role under Mourinho will require a significant tactical evolution from the teenager. The former Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid manager is historically renowned for demanding strict defensive discipline and high work rates from his wide players. Mastantuono, a naturally left-footed attacking creator who prefers cutting inside, must prove he can adapt to these rigorous defensive duties within a matter of weeks.
If the young Argentine fails to win over Mourinho during this trial period, Real Madrid will look to facilitate a temporary departure. A loan to a La Liga rival or another high-level European club is considered the default option. Such a move would allow the winger to accumulate valuable first-team minutes and rebuild his confidence, ensuring the club does not have to write off its massive financial outlay.
The final decision on Mastantuono’s immediate future is expected to crystallize around Mourinho’s first competitive team selections and the closing weeks of the summer transfer window. For now, the opportunity on the right wing remains his to lose.
