Franco Mastantuono, Fiorentina player
Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
When Real Madrid signed Franco Mastantuono from River Plate last summer, he was widely regarded as one of, if not the biggest, South American talents coming through.
Los Blancos fast-tracked him straight into the first team under Xabi Alonso, but the teenager struggled to adapt to life in Madrid.
Mastantuono left on loan to Fiorentina in the summer in a bid to get regular game time away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Argentine winger experienced a turbulent campaign at Madrid, working under three different coaches: Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and, very briefly, Jose Mourinho.
A difficult season
Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid
Mastantuono had a torrential time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Speaking to DSports, Mastantuono admitted his year in Madrid had been challenging but believes the experience ultimately helped his development.
“We all had a difficult season in Madrid. It wasn’t easy,” Mastantuono said.
“These things always help you improve and learn. Fiorentina isn’t about revenge, but an opportunity to show the player I am and help Fiorentina become great again,” he explained.
Rather than viewing this move to Italy as an opportunity to move away from Madrid, he seems keen on using the experience he gained there to succeed in Italy.
Mastantuono embraces the pressure
The Argentine also discussed the demands of representing Real Madrid, something he had already experienced in a different form while playing for River Plate.
“I had the privilege of playing for River and Real Madrid, incredible teams,” he said.
“There is pressure, but it is part of the sport. I like it. For me, it is a game as well as a job, of course,” Mastantuono revealed.
That attitude perhaps explains why Mastantuono has gone searching for game time this season rather than staying at Madrid.
No bad blood over Real Madrid exit
Importantly, Mastantuono dismissed any suggestion that his departure from Real Madrid came following a breakdown in his relationship with the club.
Franco Mastantuono, Fiorentina player
Mastantuono is happy at Fiorentina. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Earlier in the summer, it had emerged that the Argentinian wanted to return to River Plate, which Los Blancos did not agree to.
However, even if that situation actually transpired, it looks like it was sorted out amicably.
“When I spoke with Real Madrid, it was a cordial and friendly conversation,” he explained.
“I decided to leave the club. I had many options, and I thank everyone who showed interest,” he concluded.
Mastantuono’s departure puts a pause on a short and complicated chapter for a player who arrived with a lot of expectations.
The good thing for him is that he is only on loan at Fiorentina and could return to Madrid, where the book is still open.
The first chapter may have been difficult, but there is no necessity for the trend to continue through the rest of the chapters.
Mastantuono’s priority now is to have a good season at Fiorentina, and it remains to be seen whether he has a future in the Spanish capital in the coming seasons.
Racing Santander chief confirms Real Madrid interest in star midfielder – “He will not leave”
Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Racing Santander may have only just got promoted to La Liga, but they have a talented squad with some of Spain’s best youngsters at their disposal.
The likes of Sergio Martinez and Jorge Salinas are both considered big talents, and both are understandably receiving interest from Spain’s elite.
Real Madrid have been trying to sign the former for quite some time now, monitoring his progress since January.
Los Blancos are pushing strongly to sign Sergio this summer, but it was revealed that the player has not yet made a decision.
Martinez still considering his future
Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
Sergio Martinez is a confirmed Real Madrid target. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Now, Racing sporting director Chema Aragon has confirmed Madrid’s determination to land the 19-year-old but did not rule out the player staying at Racing as an option.
As quoted by RM4Arab, Aragon confirmed that the teenager was evaluating all the options at his disposal.
“Sergio Martinez is evaluating his options. There is Real Madrid, and there is also the Racing Santander option for him,” Aragon said.
Those comments underline that Madrid have not yet secured the youngster despite their significant interest.
Should he choose Madrid, the plan would be for the midfielder to initially join Castilla while remaining close enough to the senior set-up to potentially train under Jose Mourinho.
Racing believe starting role could convince him
Racing, however, can offer something Madrid cannot guarantee immediately: regular first-team football.
“If we offer him a starting position, he will not leave,” Aragon claimed.
That could become the decisive factor for Martinez.
Dropping from La Liga football with Racing into the lower divisions with Castilla would be a significant sporting decision, even with the possibility of eventually breaking into Madrid’s first team.
At 19, guaranteed senior minutes could be enormously valuable for his development.
Real Madrid have gone all out
Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
What’s in store for Martinez’s future? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Aragon made no attempt to hide the seriousness of Madrid’s interest.
“Real Madrid have gone all out to sign him, and he is now evaluating all the options,” Aragon added.
Racing coming out and publicly admitting the extent of Madrid’s interest in the teenager could be their way of making a statement.
It is highly unlikely that their sporting director would come out and be so open about transfer negotiations unless they are confident of him staying at the club this summer.
For Madrid, his profile is particularly attractive because Mourinho’s squad could still use another type of midfielder.
The 19-year-old would arrive as a long-term investment with immense potential who can contribute to the first team.
The decision now firmly belongs to the player. Madrid can offer prestige, the chance of playing for the biggest team in the world and a chance to work with superstars.
Racing can offer something more immediate: continuity, familiarity, La Liga football and potentially a starting role.
Martinez needs to decide which pathway he wants for his career, and it remains to be seen whether he chooses Madrid.