Mastantuono unveiled as new Real Madrid player

Authors: Eduardo Olivera

Publisher:

Real Madrid C.F.

Published: 8/14/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Saturday, August 23rd. It’s a pleasure to have you with us.

Mask

I'm Mask. We're here to discuss a major move in the football world: Franco Mastantuono has officially been unveiled as a new Real Madrid player. A huge talent making a huge leap.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. It was quite a birthday for the young man. He signed a six-year deal on Thursday, August 14th, the very day he turned 18. It’s the kind of story that feels like it’s straight out of a movie, isn't it? A dream come true.

Mask

A dream that cost Madrid a reported €45 to €63 million. But it’s a calculated dream. This is what a club with a clear identity does. They don’t dither. It reminds me of what’s happening at Manchester United, a club completely lost in "no man's land" without a plan.

Tom Banks

That's a sharp contrast. You're referring to Marcus Rashford's recent comments about the lack of direction since Ferguson left? He said, "If your direction’s always changing, you can’t expect to be able to win." Real Madrid certainly seems to have a fixed direction with these young signings.

Mask

Exactly. Madrid is playing chess while others are playing checkers. They identify talent, they pursue it relentlessly, and they integrate it into a winning philosophy. Mastantuono is just the latest piece in a very deliberate, long-term strategy. No ambiguity, just execution. That’s how you build an empire.

Tom Banks

And this strategy has a clear geographical focus. Mastantuono, the "Argentine wonderkid" from River Plate, follows a well-trodden path of South American talent to Madrid, much like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Federico Valverde. It’s a testament to their incredible scouting network.

Mask

It's not just the network; it's the key players. Chief scout Juni Calafat is a master of this game. He identifies the talent, builds the relationship, and closes the deal. Then you have the new head coach, Xabi Alonso, making a personal call to the kid. That’s a power move.

Tom Banks

That personal touch must be incredibly persuasive for a young player. Real Madrid apparently first spotted him in late 2022, so this has been in the works for a while. They had to fight off interest from giants like PSG, Barcelona, and Manchester United to secure his signature.

Mask

Competition is irrelevant when your project is superior. They offered him a future, not just a contract. And about the fee, people will gasp at €63.2 million for a teenager, but a huge chunk of that, over €18 million, is taxes and levies. A necessary cost of doing business at the top.

Tom Banks

It's a fascinating look behind the curtain. The final fee includes an €11.8 million payment to Spanish tax authorities because of a double tax treaty with Argentina. It’s far more complex than just a simple transfer fee between two clubs. It’s a massive financial operation.

Tom Banks

Now, despite all the excitement, his integration isn't immediate. It's been reported that Mastantuono won't be training with the first team for at least two weeks. This is due to Spanish legal constraints concerning minors, even though he's now 18. It’s a bit of a waiting game.

Mask

Bureaucratic nonsense. The boy is 18, he’s signed a multi-million euro contract, and he’s ready to work. This is the kind of red tape that stifles progress. In any other industry, you’d be integrating your top acquisition from day one, not having them sit on the sidelines due to paperwork.

Tom Banks

I can see your point, but I also see the need for caution and due process. These rules are in place to protect young athletes, ensuring everything is handled correctly, from their contracts to their welfare. It's a safeguard, even if it feels like a delay in this high-profile case.

Mask

Safeguards should be efficient, not obstructive. The risk isn't in the paperwork; the risk is in him losing momentum. He's a thoroughbred ready to run, and they're holding him in the starting gate. You have to move at the speed of talent, or you get left behind.

Tom Banks

Well, when he does start, he'll be jumping right into the deep end. The club has made it clear that Franco Mastantuono won't be placed in the Castilla team, the reserve squad. He is heading directly to the senior team, which is a massive vote of confidence.

Mask

As he should be. Putting a player of his caliber and price tag in the reserves would be an insult to the investment. This is the only way forward. Challenge him, surround him with the best players in the world, and see if he sinks or swims. I’m betting he swims.

Tom Banks

It certainly puts immense pressure on his shoulders. He’ll be sharing a dressing room with players who have won everything. But it also presents an incredible learning opportunity. He’s not just a player; he’s a statement about Real Madrid’s future ambitions.

Tom Banks

And the early signs are incredibly promising. Reports from his first training session said that he "surprised everyone." His agility and ability to combine with other players were apparently immediately obvious. That must have the coaching staff buzzing with excitement.

Mask

Of course he did. Talent recognizes talent. This is just the beginning. He won't just be a squad player; he'll be a difference-maker within his first season. People see a kid; I see a future cornerstone of the most successful club in the world.

Tom Banks

From a dream birthday signing to the pressures of the senior squad, Mastantuono's journey is already a captivating story. That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod.

Mask

See you tomorrow.

## Franco Mastantuono Unveiled as New Real Madrid Player **News Title/Type:** Player Unveiling Ceremony **Report Provider/Author:** Real Madrid C.F. (Eduardo Olivera) **Date/Time Period Covered:** The unveiling ceremony took place on August 14, 2025. **News Identifier:** The news report is sourced from the official Real Madrid C.F. website. --- ### Summary of Key Information: Real Madrid has officially unveiled **Franco Mastantuono** as their new player in a ceremony held at Real Madrid City. The event featured a video showcasing Mastantuono's highlights and speeches from club president Florentino Pérez and the player himself. **Key Points from the Unveiling:** * **President Florentino Pérez's Remarks:** * Pérez described Mastantuono as "one of the greatest footballing talents to emerge in recent years." * He highlighted that this day marks the fulfillment of Mastantuono's dream to play for Real Madrid, especially as it coincides with his 18th birthday. * Pérez acknowledged the player's journey and the support of his family. * A special mention was made of **River Plate**, Mastantuono's former club, recognizing its historical significance and its role in forging Real Madrid legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano. * Pérez welcomed Mastantuono to a "prestigious list of Argentinian players" who have represented Real Madrid and expressed the club's anticipation for his contributions, noting he will be joining a dressing room of experienced and dedicated players. He also referenced Real Madrid's **15 European Cups**. * **Franco Mastantuono's Statement:** * Mastantuono expressed his gratitude to the president and everyone present, calling it a "very special day" and a "dream come true." * He conveyed his excitement to join "the biggest club in the world" and pledged to "give my life to this jersey." * He thanked those who helped him reach this point and acknowledged that he still has "a lot to learn." * Mastantuono specifically thanked Juni, José Ángel, the president, and Xabi Alonso for their trust. **Contextual Interpretation:** The unveiling signifies Real Madrid's continued strategy of investing in young, prodigious talent. Mastantuono, described as a significant emerging talent, is expected to contribute to the club's future successes. The mention of his 18th birthday and the requirement to wait to officially join emphasizes the club's adherence to regulations and its long-term planning. The historical references to River Plate and Alfredo Di Stéfano highlight the club's tradition and its connection to legendary figures, setting a high standard for the new signing. The mention of "15 European Cups" underscores Real Madrid's unparalleled success in the continent's premier club competition.

Read original at Real Madrid C.F. →

Franco Mastantuono has been unveiled as a new Real Madrid player. The ceremony took place at Real Madrid City, and got underway with a video showcasing some of the Argentine's best moments on the pitch. Club president Florentino Pérez then said a few words: "Today is another of those great days, full of emotion for all of us who feel a passion for Real Madrid, because today, one of the greatest footballing talents to emerge in recent years is joining our club.

Today, we are welcoming Franco Mastantuono.""Congratulations, because today a dream comes true for you, and on your birthday as well. You had to wait to turn 18 in order to pull on the jersey of the most beloved, admired and decorated club in the world. Today is one of the most important days of your life, and the same goes for your family, who are here with you today, your parents and your siblings.

They know very well how hard you've had to fight to get to this point."River Plate and Alfredo Di Stéfano"I'd like to reserve a special mention for River Plate, a centenary, legendary club, one of the most successful in Argentina and all of America. We all feel a deep sense of admiration and affection for a club that has forged many Real Madrid legends, not least among them our beloved and always remembered Alfredo Di Stéfano, who was Real Madrid's honorary president."

A new era"Dear Franco Mastantuono, today you join a prestigious list of Argentinian players to have played at Real Madrid. The talent and character of your compatriots have been present for many of our club's greatest triumphs. From now on, the Bernabéu awaits you, eager to get behind you and support you to the end.

You'll be sharing a dressing room with players who have won everything, and who, first and foremost, are madridistas. From today, you'll be pulling on the white jersey of the 15 European Cups and starting out on your Real Madrid story."Mastantuono: “I promise I will give my life to this jersey”“Dear president, thank you so much.

Thank you to all of you here today. It's a very special day for me. It's a dream come true as a footballer and as a person, to join a club like Real Madrid, the biggest in the world. I'm thrilled, and I want to share that joy with you because this will be a day I will remember forever. Thank you to the people back in Argentina, they are the ones who have got me here.

I still have a lot to learn, but those values have been instilled in me by those closest to me."“I promise I will give my life to this jersey, it's the dream I have always had. Today, it comes true, today it begins. Thanks to Juni, José Ángel, the president, Xabi Alonso and all the team for trusting in me.

They'll be playing alongside a fan on the pitch, I hope I can achieve big things at this club. Hala Madrid!”

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