Franco Mastantuono
Height: 180cm
Youth career: River de Azul, Club Cemento, River Plate (since 2019)
Current club: River Plate
Squad number: 30
Current national team: Argentina U-20
Position: attacking midfielder, winger
Preferred foot: left
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup (6/0)
Contract until: 31.12.2025
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: James Rodríguez
Strengths:
– passing 
– vision
– technique
– ball control
– creativity
– first touch
– dribbling
– football IQ
– pace 
– off-the-ball movement
To improve:
– very one-footed/operating with his weaker right foot
– consistency and efficiency in the defensive phase
– aerial duels
Style of play:
– advanced playmaker
– even tough he’s not the strongest physically, he posseses decent body mass ratio and should develop quite well physically in the coming years
– creative player with excellent technique on the ball, mobility, short-dribbling, and good short-mid through passing ability
– not electric, but he possesses good pace at all distances
– very high football IQ, good spatial awareness, and ability to use ‘la pausa’
– likes to dribble
– undpredictable player, who likes to play in a free attacking role, where he is granted the freedom to roam the pitch and orchestrate play in the final third
– very skillful progressive carrier and passer
– intelligent movement between the lines
– likes to use his trickery and ball-skills, such as back-heels, nutmegs, and feints
– has the technique, vision, ability and confidence to execute the killer passes and setup goalscoring opportunities for his teammates
– able to make a difference at any time thanks to his dribbling and passing skills
– possesses interesting mid and long-range shooting skills with his left foot
– superb dribbler with a futsal-esque close control
– highly elegant on the ball with a silky touch
– excellent footwork and ball control in tight spaces
– fantastic ability at first touch/high speed in one–two combinations with his teammates
– good direct and indirect set piece taker
Mastantuono shows his fantastic footwork, dribbles past his opponent, enters the penalty area, and sends a dangerous shot on target.
Mastantuono makes a beautiful run into the penalty area and gets stopped with a last man tackle..
Mastantuono orchestrates the play in the final third showcasing his elegance and vision.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Attacking midfielder in 4-2-3-1.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 8 February 2024):
Copa de la Liga Profesional 2024 (ongoing): 3 games/0 goals (River Plate)
Description:
Franco Mastantuono is a product of the legendary River Plate youth academy. He is considered to be one of the most talented players of his age category in South America. In 2023, he represented his country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He is also one of the leaders of an extremely interesting generation of Argentinian U18s which includes, among others Gianluca Prestianni, Agustín Ruberto, Claudio Echeverri, Ian Subiabre, Juan Villalba, Santiago López, Kevin Gutiérrez, Tobías Palacio, Dylan Gorosito, Alejo Sarco, Valentino Acuña, Ulises Giménez, and Mariano Gerez. On 28 January 2024, Franco made his first team debut becoming the third youngest player ever to feature for River Plate. 11 days later, he made a significant mark in the Argentinian Cup game against Excursionistas by scoring a goal, thus becoming the youngest goal-scorer in the club’s history. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record held by Javier Saviola for 26 years.
Quotes:
“At River, I always looked at Nacho Fernández, he seems like a very complete player to me. I also try to copy the movements of Matías Suárez and Julián Álvarez. And I always look at Messi, who is my idol. He seems to me to be the best in the world, by far. I also like to watch Neymar and Phil Foden.”
(Franco Mastantuono)
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Links:
He’s an incredible talent! I first saw him play against Poland U-17 and was immediately impressed. He’s a fantastic player and I hope he’ll represent the mejor club in the world, Real Madrid !