Real Madrid Faces La Liga Rule Violation Claims After Franco Mastantuono's Controversial Debut
Real Madrid faced criticism for giving 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono his La Liga debut while officially registering the new acquisition as a Real Madrid Castilla player.
The Spanish powerhouse attracted attention last Thursday when they unveiled Mastantuono at Real Madrid City. Despite investing €63.2 million ($73.3 million) for the talented youngster from River Plate, the club chose not to assign him a first-team jersey number.
Rather, Mastantuono displayed the number 30 jersey, validating earlier speculation that Los Blancos planned to list the player with their developmental squad. This strategy enabled Real Madrid to preserve their final available first-team position for a potential additional acquisition before the transfer deadline.
Mastantuono nevertheless featured for Xabi Alonso's squad in their La Liga season opener, entering as a substitute for Brahim Díaz in the 68th minute. This action drew condemnation from Miguel Galán, head of the National Training Centre for Football Coaches (CENAFE).
Galán criticized Real Madrid for operating in "bad faith" while listing Mastantuono as a Real Madrid Castilla player, suggesting the club fully intends to maintain the youngster with the senior squad.
He contends the club exploited loopholes to avoid La Liga squad numbering requirements, which mandate all first-team players wear numbers from one to 25.
Osasuna chose not to file a complaint against Real Madrid for the alleged improper deployment of Mastantuono, but future adversaries might do so, according to Galán.
"As long as player Mastantuono doesn't train or compete in matches with the reserve team, there exists significant risk that the lineup will be contested if he appears in official competitions," the CENAFE president posted on X.
The strategy to list Mastantuono with Real Madrid Castilla isn't unprecedented for the Spanish club; they employed identical tactics with Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo when the Brazilian attackers joined as teenagers.
La Liga rules permit players under 23 years old, registered with reserve teams, to appear for the senior squad without requiring number modifications, even when exceeding the 10-match limit that typically requires players to adopt numbers no higher than 25.
Nevertheless, Galán maintains that Real Madrid inappropriately exploited the regulations for their benefit and might encounter consequences if they persist in fielding Mastantuono without genuine plans for him to play for Real Madrid Castilla.