Franco Mastantuono has had two breakout years, not one. The Argentinian teenager slipped on Claudio Echeverri's boots and into the red sash-adorned River Plate kit shortly after Echeverri's move to Manchester City just over 18 months ago. That was Mastantuono's first breakout year, 2024, when he announced himself to South America.
In 2025, Mastantuono has arrived on the world stage, the newly-turned 18-year-old has assumed starting responsibilities under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid and that's a lot easier said than done - just ask Reinier, Endrick or Arda Güler.
