The Rise of Franco Mastantuono: Profile, Career Stats, and Future Prospects

Argentina is known to give the footballing world magicians over different eras. From the likes of Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, we have seen a part of the careers of some of the generational Argentine stars. This year, football fans all over the world have gotten a glimpse of some of promising talents in European competitions, the world awaits the story of a young Argentine who is rising through the ranks.

We are talking about Franco Mastantuono. Born on August 14th, 2007, in Buenos Aires’s Azul, he is indeed a burgeoning talent in the world of football. Mainly playing as a forward or a midfielder, Mastantuono has rapidly ascended through the River Plate ranks.

His consistent performances and unmatched set of skills have allowed him to attract the attention of many major European clubs. Let’s look at the journey of the youngster so far.

Early Life and Background

As we mentioned earlier, Franco Mastantuono was born in Argentina. Naturally, there were high hopes from the people around his circle when they noticed the player’s drive when it came to football. One of the biggest reasons behind this is the popularity of the sport in the nation.

Franco Mastantuono Family

Growing up in Buenos Aires’s Azul, Mastantuono was introduced to sports at an early age. His father was the one who coached him in football. He played a pivotal role in looking after the passion of his son for the game. A fun fact for you is that Franco also excelled in tennis when he was a kid, competing at the national level. However, his profound connection to football allowed him to pursue it professionally.

Franco Mastantuono Career, goals, trophies: Stats

Now that we are aware of the early life of the youngster, let us take a deep dive and check out Mastantuono’s club success so far on the road.

Early Success

Franco’s journey began with River Plate, one of the popular clubs in Argentina, where he signed his very first contract in August 2023. It featured a release clause of €30 million. The youngster went on to make his official debut in January 2024. It allowed him to become the third-youngest player to start for the team.

In February 2024, he scored the very first goal in the Copa Argentina match against Excursionistas. It made him the youngest goal scorer in the history of the club. He surpassed the record of Javier Saviola.

Throughout last year, the youngster’s performances have been stellar. He played in 33 matches in the league. In these matches, he scored once and added two goals in Copa Argentina appearances. His international debut came back in 2023 in the U17 team of Argentina. In the 2024-25 season, he played for the U20 squad of Argentina, scoring one goal in nine appearances.

Key Moments and Achievements

A defining moment in the career of Masantuono came in April 2024. It was a Copa Libertadores fixture against Club Libertad. At just 16 years old, he scored and became the youngest player to score for River Plate in the competition, surpassing Javier Saviola’s record. He also became one of the youngest goal scorers in the Copa Libertadores.

Franco Mastantuono Role Model: Ignacio Fernandez

Over multiple occasions, the youngster has mentioned that Ignacio Fernandez of River Plate is one of his idols. Franco admires Ignacio’s vision, ability to control the midfield, and passing. The youngster tries to emulate these qualities in his own play.

Franco Mastantuono Scout Report

The youngster’s international career started with the U17 team of Argentina back in 2023. It is where he earned six caps. His amazing performances led to a call-up to the U20 team in 2024. There, he scored once in nine appearances.

The scouting reports pretty much highlight the ball-striking ability of the player, proficiency in free-kick situations, and exceptional one-on-one dribbling skills. His versatility enables him to play both as an attacking midfielder and forward.

Playing Style and Strengths

As we mentioned earlier, he is the perfect pick for any manager who is looking forward to a creative midfielder and forward versatility. The youngster is known for his precise passing, ability to control the tempo of the game, and vision on the field. Moreover, his ball control and agility along with the understanding as to when shift the tempo of the game makes him a perfect pick for anu team.

His knack for creating plays and scoring adds a dangerous dimension to any team’s attacking options.

Franco Mastantuono’s EA FC Rating

As of right now, the young Franco’s EA FC rating in the game is a solid 75. He his recognized for his potential , with the ratings reflecting how he has performed in real-life. His strengths lies in his dribbling, shooting, and passing. Safe to say, it isn’t long till you will see him a favorite of many gamers in the community.

Franco Mastantuono Net Worth & Salary

When it comes to life outside the pitch, there are a lot of rumors circling around the youngster. Being one of the top prospects of football right now, there are a lot of rumors regarding the personal life of young Franco.

Moreover, there are a lot of buzz around his net worth as well. While there are no confirmed source regarding the salary and net worth of Franco Mastantuono, it is estimated that the net worth of the Argentine youngster is around $4.5 million. Such a staggering number is mainly attributed to his professional football career, including his contract with River Plate and potential endorsement deals.

Franco Mastantuono’s Potential Clubs

The Argentine’s exceptional talent has attracted interest from the top European clubs. Notably, there are rumors that Real Madrid have been linked with the young Argentine midfielder, with reports suggesting that the Spanish giants are keen on securing the superstar’s services.

His impressive performances have also caught the attention of other major European teams, indicating a promising future abroad.

Conclusion

The rapid rise of Franco Mastantuono in the football world is a testament to his talent, hard work, and the strong support system of his family. While the journey of the youngster so far has been impressive, we need to understand that it is only the beginning. As he progresses, we will witness greatness from another Argentine.