River Plate officially announced their squad for this summer’s Club World Cup on Tuesday, and one name on the list immediately turned heads: Franco Mastantuono. The 17-year-old wonderkid, who is on the verge of joining Real Madrid, has been named in Muñeco Gallardo’s team for the tournament in the United States. He’ll wear the number 30 shirt.
Although an official announcement from Real Madrid is still pending, Mastantuono is understood to have already reached a full agreement with Los Blancos. The current expectation is that the teenager will complete the Club World Cup with his boyhood club before finalizing his dream move to the Spanish capital.
Interestingly, Mastantuono’s presence in River’s squad could serve as a strategic move by the Argentine giants as Madrid and River continue to negotiate the structure of the €45 million release clause. Madrid had reportedly considered bringing the player to the United States themselves, but River have held firm, making it clear they intend to keep their young star for the duration of the competition.
River Plate will begin their Club World Cup campaign against Urawa Reds of Japan next Tuesday. They could face Monterrey and Inter Milan — the current UEFA Champions League runners-up — in subsequent rounds. And, depending on how the tournament unfolds, a matchup with Real Madrid remains a tantalizing possibility.