Franco Mastantuono: Tactical Analysis
Argentine right-winger Franco Mastantuono is on the verge of a move to Real Madrid following a breakout season with River Plate. This analysis will delve into his statistics, playing style, and potential fit with the Spanish giants.
Player Profile
Born on August 14, 2007, in the province of Buenos Aires, Franco Mastantuono is an Argentine footballer of Italian descent. A left-footed player, he primarily operates as a right-winger or an attacking midfielder and currently has a market value of €30 million.
His football journey began at the age of three at Club Atlético River Plate Azul, where his father coached the team. Alongside his development in football, he also pursued a passion for tennis, becoming a nationally recognized junior player. However, at eleven years old, he chose to focus on football and joined Cemento Armado FC. Two years later, he accepted an offer to join River Plate's prestigious academy and relocated to Buenos Aires.
After progressing through the youth ranks, Mastantuono made his senior debut on January 28, 2024, in a match against Argentinos Juniors. His rapid rise saw him become the youngest player in the club's history to debut, score a goal, and win a title. He also earned his first cap for the national team on June 6, 2025, in a fixture against Chile. With such high expectations surrounding him, a closer look at his on-field performance is warranted.
A Complete Winger
Mastantuono is a well-rounded winger who excels in ball-handling and one-on-one situations. He possesses the physical and tactical attributes to be highly effective in the final third of the pitch. He often drops deep to receive the ball, driving down the wing before cutting inside. From there, he connects with teammates through quick passing combinations, plays decisive final passes to create scoring chances, or takes shots from a distance.
Significant Goal Threat
A top-tier winger must be able to create plays, score goals, and provide assists, and Mastantuono consistently delivers in all three areas. He ranks among the wingers with the best averages for goals scored, expected goals (xG), assists, and expected assists (xA). With a combined expected goals and assists statistic of nearly 0.6 per game, he is one of the most productive attacking players in the Argentine league. This figure suggests he has a high probability of scoring or assisting in at least one out of every two matches.
His high rate of goals and assists is complemented by a significant volume of shots, making him the winger with the most shot attempts in the national championship. However, his accuracy needs refinement, as less than half of his shots are on target. Many of his attempts are either blocked or miss the goal entirely, resulting in a shooting accuracy of 33%. Despite this, he demonstrates confidence in his shooting ability and is a specialist from free-kicks. Notably, he balances his shot locations, with half of his attempts coming from outside the penalty area and the other half from inside.
Explosive Individual Skill
Franco is a quick and agile player who does not hesitate to take on defenders when the opportunity arises. Though left-footed, he is comfortable using his right foot, which adds an element of unpredictability to his game and creates uncertainty for opponents.
He is not a dribbler in the style of Lamine Yamal, who relies on explosive bursts of speed to unbalance defenders. Instead, Mastantuono is more methodical and less frantic in his approach. While he attempts a notable number of dribbles (6.5 per game), his success rate is below average. This is an area for improvement, though his youth, agility, and speed provide a strong foundation. His dribbling is a key asset, allowing him to bypass defenders, create space, and generate attacking momentum.
Consistent Contribution to Team Play
His work in the midfield is vital, offering a creative spark when the team's play becomes stagnant. His dribbling ability is crucial for breaking lines and advancing the ball from his own half.
Mastantuono averages 40 passes per game with a completion rate of over 75%, a statistic that is above average for wingers in Argentina's Primera División. This passing ability makes him a more complete player. He is also proficient in varying his passing range, averaging 37 short passes and over 2.5 long passes per game, demonstrating his vision and precision.
He is highly influential in the final third, frequently delivering key passes that lead to scoring opportunities. Mastantuono is active in the build-up phase, supporting his teammates and exceeding the league average for passes into the final third and the penalty area.
Ranked Among the Best
Based on his comprehensive skill set, Mastantuono is considered one of the most complete wingers in the Argentine league. Performance metrics rank him as the third-best winger in the competition. It is remarkable that at only 17 years old, he is already recognized as one of the top players in a major league.
Comparison and Fit at Real Madrid
Real Madrid is reportedly close to finalizing his signing for a fee approaching €50 million, with a future release clause of around €1 billion. When compared to a current Real Madrid winger like Rodrygo, Mastantuono shows superiority in several statistical areas, though they are similar in dribbling ability.
Mastantuono has the potential to provide Real Madrid with a dynamic, versatile, and more complete attacking option. However, his success will depend on his adaptation to the highly competitive Spanish league and the demands of playing for a club of Real Madrid's stature. Nevertheless, expectations are high for the new Argentine gem, Franco Mastantuono.
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