I'm the 17-year-old River Plate star being chased by Europe's biggest clubs that's ready to stun the FIFA Club World Cup

Tournament football can often lead to a breakout star emerging, a promising youngster who shines brightly to confirm their arrival on the big stage.

As River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono prepares to represent the Argentinian giants in the FIFA Club World Cup , with every game live on DAZN , the precociously-talented teenager is being heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid .

Reports claim a six-year deal has been agreed after Madrid beat stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain to acquire the services of Mastantuono.

The starlet has been linked with Madrid since 2023, but the deal never progressed until PSG entered the race and became the favourites to snap him up this summer.

However, the River Plate superstar is now tipped to join Los Blancos in a €40 million fee after the Club World Cup.

He could also face his prospective future employers should River Plate meet the La Liga giants in the knockout stages of the tournament, having been named in River's squad for the Club World Cup and been given the No 30 shirt to wear.

At 17 years and 295 days old, Mastantuono became the youngest player ever to play in an official match for Argentina in the 1-0 win over Chile in a CONMEBOL qualifier on June 6.

 

Now the Club World Cup provides the perfect platform for Mastantuono to show why he is so highly regarded across the world.

The River Plate midfielder is one of the brightest young talents in Argentina and has established himself in Marcelo Gallardo’s team.

At just 17, Mastantuono is far from the finished product; more a rough diamond who needs a little polishing as his star continues to rise.

Crucially, however, the Argentina Under-20 international’s ability is not up for debate and has already enjoyed a meteoric rise in his homeland with River Plate.

Federico Peretti/NurPhoto via Getty Images

River manager Gallardo said: “What we have to do is support him; he’s a kid who has his feet on the ground.

“But it’s not a bad idea to support him and make him feel like he has to keep growing.”

Curiously, his playing style and cultured left foot has drawn highly favourable comparisons with Manchester City and England ace Phil Foden.

Mastantuono began playing football aged three, developing at River de Azul, where his father was the coach.

In 2017, Mastantuono was invited on trial at River Plate, but despite being offered a place in the academy, he declined, as his family wanted him to continue pursuing a career in tennis.

Instead, he signed for Club Cemento at the age of eleven but two years later, in 2019, Mastantuono decided to take up River Plate’s offer.

He moved to the Buenos Aires-based club, making his first appearance for the youth side in their last game of the 2019 season, as the youth side won their respective league.

Mastantuono continued his progression through the River Plate academy, and in August 2023, he signed his first contract with the club – a two-year deal with a €30 million release clause.

The following month, he was called up to first-team training by manager Martín Demichelis for the first time.

The following year, Mastantuono was included in River Plate's squad for their pre-season preparations, having been called up alongside a number of other youth team players by Demichelis.

At the end of January 2024, he became River Plate's third youngest ever player behind Omar Rossi and Mateo Musacchio, when he came on as a second-half substitute for Facundo Colidio in River's 1–1 Copa de la Liga Profesional draw with Argentinos Juniors.

Mastantuono’s technical quality, educated left foot and maturity on the field have made him one of the most sought-after prospects in South American football.

Mastantuono’s biggest focus is on performing at his highest level for River Plate in the biggest and most lucrative FIFA Club World Cup yet.

Los Millonarios have long enjoyed a particular affinity with left-footed specialists and Mastantuono is continuing that rich tradition.

The alumni includes Daniel Passarella, Norberto Alonso, Ramon Diaz, Mario Kempes, Marcelo Salas, Andres D'Alessandro and Juan Fernando Quintero.

As Mastantuono continues to shine, do not bet against him catching the eye for River Plate in their FIFA Club World Cup campaign before making his dream move to the Spanish capital.

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