Franco Mastantuono arrives in Madrid this weekend to begin his long-awaited journey as a Real Madrid player. Due to his age, he won't be able to join Xabi Alonso’s first-team training sessions when they begin next Monday. Instead, he’ll have to wait until August 14, his 18th birthday, before officially joining the group. That day will mark the true beginning of his time in white, with the goal of leaving a lasting mark at the Bernabéu.

From the start, Mastantuono’s story has echoed the spirit of Alfredo Di Stéfano. Like the legendary forward, he was born at River Plate and now follows a path that led from Buenos Aires to Madrid. “Following the same path as Don Alfredo is a source of pride for someone who was born at River,” he told MARCA ahead of his arrival at Valdebebas.

This spiritual connection with Di Stéfano might even be reflected on the back of his shirt; he’s a candidate to wear the number 9 jersey vacated by Kylian Mbappé. Should that happen, the echoes of Madrid’s most historic figure will accompany him with every goal, dribble, and celebration. The club sees enormous potential in him, and now it’s up to Xabi Alonso to shape that raw talent into something extraordinary.

Mastantuono is joining a long list of young prospects who arrived in Madrid with great expectations—Valverde, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Güler, and Endrick all went through a period of adaptation. But the Argentine hopes to follow the example of Jude Bellingham and make an instant impact. With Bellingham sidelined until October or November due to shoulder surgery, the stage is set for Mastantuono to step in and earn the trust of the coaching staff right away.

When he takes the pitch, he will become the 14th player to represent both Real Madrid and River Plate, following names like Higuaín, Saviola, Solari, and of course, Di Stéfano. He also becomes the fifth academy product from River to wear the white shirt and the fourth player to transfer directly from the Argentine giants to the Spanish capital.

Madrid believes they’ve signed a generational gem—now it’s time for Mastantuono to write his own chapter in the club’s storied history.

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