Franco Mastantuono is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in world football. At just 17 years old, the Argentine wonderkid has already made his debut for River Plate and the national team, drawing attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Known for his versatility, technical skill, and offensive output, Mastantuono has been making waves in the Argentine Primera División. In this analysis, we break down his playing style, strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential fit at Real Madrid.
Player Information
Born in the province of Buenos Aires on August 14, 2007, Franco Mastantuono is an Argentine footballer of Italian descent. A left-footed player who operates primarily as a right winger or attacking midfielder, he currently holds a market value of €30 million.
Mastantuono began his football career at just three years old, playing for Club Atlético River Plate Azul, where his father was the team’s coach. In parallel with football, he pursued tennis and became a nationally recognized junior player. However, at age eleven, he fully committed to football and joined Cemento Armado FC.
Two years later, he accepted an offer to join River Plate and relocated to Buenos Aires to pursue his career at the club’s academy. On January 28, 2024, he made his first-team debut against Argentinos Juniors. Since then, he has become a prominent figure at the club, becoming the youngest player to debut, score, and win a title with River Plate.
He made his senior national team debut on June 6, 2025, in a match against Chile. Expectations are understandably high—but what does his playing style actually look like?
A Very Complete Winger
If Mastantuono is to be defined as a winger, he is a complete player who excels in ball control, one-on-one duels, and possesses the physical and tactical qualities needed to be effective in the final third.
He often drops into midfield to receive the ball before beginning his run down the wing, typically cutting inside to connect with teammates through quick combinations, playing final passes, or attempting shots from distance.
His heat map reveals strong activity across the entire right attacking channel. He often operates as a false winger, drifting toward central areas to find better passing lanes and link-up opportunities in attack.
Notable Presence in Front of Goal
A top winger must be able to create chances, score goals, and link play—and Mastantuono consistently demonstrates all three. Statistically, he ranks among the best wingers in the Argentine league in both goals and assists, with an expected goals and assists rate of approximately 0.6 per game. This means that in every two matches, there is a strong statistical likelihood he will either score or assist.
He also leads the league in shots on goal among wingers and is among the top shooters across all positions. However, fewer than half of his shots are on target, indicating room for improvement in finishing. Many of his attempts are either blocked or off target.
Roughly 50% of his shots come from outside the box, with the remainder from inside, showing balance in his shot selection. Despite a relatively low shooting accuracy of 33%, he maintains confidence in his shooting and is regarded as a free-kick specialist.
Individual Explosiveness
Franco is a fast, agile player who readily takes on defenders when the opportunity arises. Though naturally left-footed, he is comfortable using his right, adding unpredictability to his game.
Unlike explosive dribblers such as Lamine Yamal, Mastantuono is more calculated and composed in his actions. While he attempts 6.5 dribbles per game, his success rate is slightly below average. This suggests he should be more selective, though his agility and speed at such a young age remain significant assets.
His dribbling allows him to beat defenders and create space, playing a key role in transitioning quickly from midfield to attack. Standing 1.77 meters tall and weighing 73 kilograms, he has a strong physical profile for a winger. He uses his body effectively to protect the ball and hold off defenders during forward drives.
This graph shows the number of drives made by Mastantuono in the Copa Libertadores and the direction of these drives. Most of them are vertical conduits with the aim of breaking up spaces or penetrating into the middle and generating that free space.
Constant Contribution to the Team’s Game
Mastantuono’s influence extends into midfield, where he helps break down compact structures and transitions the team into attack. He averages 40 passes per game, with a completion rate exceeding 75%, above the league average for wingers. His passing range includes 37 short passes and more than 2.5 long passes per match, showing his vision and distribution ability.
Regarding his influence on passes into the opposition’s area, Mastantuono is the type of winger who regularly provides that crucial ball to help determine the next phase of play—whether it’s a decisive pass, a follow-up combination, or a shot on goal.
He is highly involved in the finishing phase, consistently supporting his teammates in creating high-quality scoring opportunities. He surpasses the league average in both passes into the final third and into the opponent’s penalty area.
Looking deeper, he completes around two passes per game that directly precede a shot from a teammate. Impressively, one in four of those passes is considered a key pass or dangerous action that results in either a clear chance or a goal. This highlights his consistent ability to create valuable opportunities in front of goal.
Aspects to Improve
Despite his dynamism and ball control, Mastantuono struggles in duels. He averages 24 duels per match but wins only 35% of them—roughly 8 per game. This is a low rate for a player of his caliber and could be an area of focus for his development.
He also loses possession frequently, with an average of 19.5 turnovers per game. However, this does not significantly impact his offensive contribution, as he still completes nearly 5 successful attacking actions per match.
The Third-Best Winger in Argentina’s Primera División
All the data and observation point to one conclusion: Mastantuono is one of the most complete and promising wingers in the Argentine league. At just 17 years old, he already ranks as the third-best winger in the division—an incredible feat considering his age and experience level.
Comparison and fit at Real Madrid
Real Madrid is reportedly finalizing his signing for around €50 million, to be paid in several installments, with a release clause close to €1 billion. Compared to a current Madrid winger like Rodrygo, Mastantuono is statistically superior in almost every area except dribbling, where the two are evenly matched.
His versatility, intelligence, and attacking output make him a natural fit for Real Madrid’s evolving attacking structure, though adaptation to La Liga and a high-pressure environment will be key.
Conclusion
Franco Mastantuono is already making a major impact in South American football and shows the potential to develop into one of the world’s top attacking players. With a strong foundation in technical skill, vision, and versatility, combined with a maturity beyond his years, it’s no wonder top clubs are racing to sign him. Real Madrid appears set to secure one of the brightest gems in world football—and the future looks dazzling for the young Argentine.