Franco Mastantuono has been making headlines in recent days as he nears a summer transfer to Real Madrid.
Indeed, the 17-year-old sensation from River Plate is all set to sign for Los Blancos imminently, with an agreement over a €45 million deal secured.
Mastantuono is set to sign a six-year contract until 2031 with Real Madrid and his arrival is likely to happen after the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.
Mastantuono sets record with Argentina
Amidst all the talk of his imminent transfer to Real Madrid, Mastantuono enjoyed a special moment this Thursday night.
Wearing the number 30 shirt for River Plate, Mastantuono made his senior debut for Argentina on last night in a 1-0 victory over Chile in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In doing so, the soon-to-be Real Madrid new signing became the youngest player ever to the Argentine senior national team in an official match at 17 years, 9 months and 22 days old.
🏆 #Eliminatorias
🙌 Franco Mastantuono, con 17 años, debutó en la Selección Argentina y logró un récord histórico.
📰 https://t.co/BQSNTbRCZC pic.twitter.com/I1GQm6s2tS
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 6, 2025
Having started off on the bench, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder came on for Thiago Almada in the 84th minute of the game.
In the process, Mastantuono achieved a major milestone in the history of the Argentine national team becoming the youngest player to play for the senior team in a points-based match.
The River Plate sensation surpassed Alejandro Garnacho (who debuted at 18 years, 11 months and 14 days against Australia in 2023) and Facundo Buonanotte (18 years, 5 months and 27 days against Indonesia).
Overall, Mastantuono is now the fifth-youngest player ever to debut for the three-time world champions, and the youngest debutant of the 21st century.
Among those ahead of him is the legendadary Diego Maradona, who made his debut at 16 years and 3 months in a friendly match against Hungary in 1977.