Franco Mastantuono of Argentina
Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images
Real Madrid signed Franco Mastantuono from River Plate last summer amid huge anticipation about the player he could become.
However, after a bright start to the season, he faded and struggled to get regular minutes under Alvaro Arbeloa.
The Argentine youngster moved on loan to Fiorentina in the summer, where he has settled in rather well.
Mastantuono has opened up about the criticism surrounding him after producing a memorable moment for Argentina.
Franco Mastantuono, Fiorentina player
Franco Mastantuono has made an impressive start at Fiorentina. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Madrid loanee scored his first senior goal in the 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso.
Mastantuono responds to criticism
As quoted by AS, Mastantuono addressed the expectations surrounding him in an interview with TyC Sports after the match.
“People are very demanding with me. I understand it, I understand what is expected of me,” Mastantuono said.
“Many times they are tough on me, but I try to enjoy it.”
The Argentine was also careful to make clear that he accepts criticism as part of being a professional footballer.
“I’m not complaining about the criticism. I’m a football player and I understand it,” he explained.
“But people talk about things that don’t depend on me. I just do my job and always try to do it well.”
A significant moment for the Madrid loanee
Scoring his first senior Argentina goal should provide Mastantuono with a welcome confidence boost.
His development remains important to Real Madrid, even while he continues his career away from the Bernabeu.
Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid
Mastantuono could have a future at the Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
He is widely regarded as one of the biggest South American talents around, and Los Blancos retain complete control over his future.
Mastantuono, though, insists he does not want external expectations dictating how he approaches football.
“I know there are a lot of expectations and I love it, but I play for my team and for myself, not for those expectations,” he concluded.
An important season for Mastantuono
It is not always easy for a South American player to arrive in Europe as a youngster and hit the ground running straight away.
Many such talented starlets do not even make it past six months, but Mastantuono has managed to navigate the difficult phase.
He now plays in Serie A, where he is being given regular minutes, and this should benefit him in the long run.
Mastantuono cannot control every conversation that happens around his career. What he can control, though, are his performances.
His display against Burkina Faso was a step in the right direction, and it remains to be seen how he fares in the coming weeks.
AC Milan ready to re-ignite pursuit for struggling Real Madrid youngster in January – report
Endrick, Real Madrid player
Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s abundance of riches in attack always meant someone was not going to get enough game time under Jose Mourinho.
A couple of months into the new season, that someone appears to be Endrick. The Brazilian has found minutes extremely hard to come by.
His lack of opportunities under Mourinho could reopen the door to a January departure, with AC Milan preparing another attempt to sign the Real Madrid striker on loan.
According to Diario SPORT, citing Portuguese outlet A Bola, Milan coach Ruben Amorim is one of the main advocates of a potential move.
Endrick has played just four official minutes for Madrid this season, although a muscle injury has also limited his availability.
Milan ready to try again
Milan already explored a move for Endrick during the summer and received encouragement from the Brazilian himself.
The transfer did not progress because Mourinho was unwilling to lose the striker at that stage. Several months later, however, the situation looks considerably different.
Endrick of Real Madrid
Endrick is finding minutes hard to come by at Real Madrid. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Endrick has struggled to enter Mourinho’s rotation, leaving him with another important decision over his development.
The proposed solution would be a six-month loan without a purchase option, meaning Madrid would retain complete control over his future.
It would essentially repeat the formula used last season, when Endrick joined Lyon in January. That spell gave him the regular football he needed.
Endrick, in turn, repaid the French club’s faith in him as he finished with eight goals and eight assists across 21 appearances.
Competition for Endrick
Milan are not alone.
Roma have also contacted the player’s representatives, while Aston Villa attempted to sign him during the summer.
His situation therefore appears to be quite open, with several other European clubs interested in signing him.
Endrick of Real Madrid
The 20-year-old needs regular minutes to develop in his career. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
For Endrick, however, the coming weeks represent another opportunity to change Mourinho’s mind. The Brazilian is only 20, and there is no doubting his potential.
Four minutes is nowhere near enough football for a player at a stage when regular competitive experience is essential.
A loan could make sense for Madrid and Endrick
Madrid should look to give Endrick meaningful game time while also keeping control over his future.
A loan move to AC Milan or any other top European club would allow Los Blancos to keep hold of Endrick in the long run.
Endrick desperately needs minutes to enjoy continuity, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho and the club handle his future.