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After spending just one season in Spain, Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Fiorentina to send midfielder Franco Mastantuono to Serie A on a season-long loan.
Real Madrid have undergone a major squad transformation this summer and, following the additions of Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande, Mastantuono's chances of securing regular playing time at the Bernabéu appeared virtually nonexistent.
A return to his former club River Plate had been floated as a possible destination for the teenager, but Madrid preferred a loan move within Europe to better support his growth as a player. The club ultimately confirmed an agreement for Mastantuono to join Fiorentina for the 2026–27 campaign.
Los Blancos edged out Paris Saint-Germain in the battle to land Mastantuono last summer, splashing $72.6 million (€63.2 million)—the most expensive transfer in Argentine football history—to secure the highly sought-after youngster.
Now, after a single season, the 18-year-old talent heads to Fiorentina to find his footing and establish himself, with the goal of returning to make an impact at the Bernabéu in 2027–28.
Difficult First Season at Real Madrid for Franco Mastantuono
There was enormous anticipation at Real Madrid when Mastantuono, widely regarded as one of the top South American prospects, arrived at the club last summer off the back of an impressive stint at River Plate. Born in 2007, many in the Spanish capital hailed him as Madrid's answer to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.
Mastantuono featured consistently in the early stages of the Xabi Alonso era at Los Blancos, at one point starting six of seven consecutive matches and netting his first goal for the club between September and October 2025. His impressive form earned him a regular place in Argentina's national team setup, just months after becoming the youngest player ever to debut for La Albiceleste.
However, injury problems, Alonso's mid-season dismissal and replacement by Álvaro Arbeloa, the turbulence that defined Real Madrid's 2025–26 campaign, and his own inconsistencies meant he couldn't sustain that bright beginning. The Argentine started just one of 17 matches for Madrid from early February until Los Blancos surrendered the La Liga title to Barcelona on May 10.
In total, Mastantuono made 35 appearances for Los Blancos, accumulating 1,484 minutes and contributing three goals with no assists. With the José Mourinho era now underway, matching that level of involvement seemed unlikely, making a temporary move away essential to keep his development on track.
Mastantuono Can Follow Footsteps of Fellow Argentine
Mastantuono departing Real Madrid just a year after his record-breaking transfer is a bitter outcome, but it should not be viewed as an outright failure. On the cusp of his 19th birthday, Mastantuono still has ample time to fulfil his potential—he simply needs to take a page from the book of a fellow young Argentine: Nico Paz.
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Paz departed Real Madrid for Como in the summer of 2024. At 19, he was a relatively under-the-radar prospect at the time, but two seasons at Como have dramatically elevated his profile as one of the most thrilling young talents in the game.
An outstanding 2025–26 campaign in which he spearheaded Como's historic push into the Champions League earned him a place in Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad—a spot that Mastantuono had ironically held for much of the previous season, when he was widely seen as the natural successor to Lionel Messi's No. 10 jersey for the national side.
Mastantuono was considered an even more highly rated prospect than Paz, and it would be no surprise if he replicates similar success in Italy. The raw ability is undeniable—the teenager possesses an exceptional left foot—and now he must seize this opportunity for a fresh start to prove what he can bring to Real Madrid upon his return.