Real Madrid News
Real Madrid loanee Mastantuono admits World Cup absence hurt, feeling ‘very good’ in Italy
Real Madrid loanee Franco Mastantuono is starting to showcase his true potential at Fiorentina following a slow start.
Back in the Argentina national team in the current squad, the teenage attacker impressed in their 4-0 win over Bolivia.
Following the game, the youngster took the opportunity to speak openly about one of the most difficult moments of last season: being left out of Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup disappointment
Far from hiding his disappointment, Mastantuono admitted how much it hurt when he learned that he would not be among the 26 players selected for the tournament.
“It is tough to miss out on the World Cup squad, but I have always supported my team-mates and Argentina so that they could do well. They had an incredible World Cup and made all of us Argentines proud,” the forward admitted, as quoted by MARCA.
However, the Real Madrid loanee is now looking ahead. With a new chapter beginning with the Argentina national team, he believes he arrives in a much improved state and better prepared to establish himself in the squad.
“A new process is beginning. I feel good and I can have an opportunity, but above all I want to work for the national team,” said the teenager.
Discussing his loan move to Italy from Real Madrid, he added: “I feel very good since I went to Italy and changed my life a little.”
The Scaloni effect
One of the factors that has contributed most to his recent development has been the confidence shown by Lionel Scaloni.
The Real Madrid starlet publicly thanked the Argentina manager for giving him freedom on the pitch and linked his good form to the change of scenery that came with his move to Italian football.
“He gives me a lot of freedom to play and I am grateful to him for that. I have felt very good since I went to Italy and changed my life a little. I really enjoyed it,” he explained.
So far in his spell in Italy, Mastantuono has played five Serie A matches, scoring three goals in the process.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.
As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place.
Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul
Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal.
Kylian Mbappé is the youngest-ever player to reach 100 Champions League appearances (27y 298d). Lionel Messi’s record is broken (28y 84d). 💯 https://t.co/QxB7jmGlop
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 14, 2026
At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.
As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.
Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe
Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.
📊 Only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi scored more goals in their first 100 Champions League matches than Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has netted an incredible 𝟕𝟐 goals in his first century of matches. 🔥 https://t.co/77Yg7DdD6L
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) October 15, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark
Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.
Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.
𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐂𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 😲👏 That is now 72 UCL goals for him, breaking into the top 5 😮💨 𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨: 👇 140 ⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo 129 ⚽ Lionel Messi 107 ⚽ Robert Lewandowski 90 ⚽ Karim Benzema 72 ⚽ Kylian Mbappé 71 ⚽ Raúl Where will he finish on the all-time UCL top scorers list? 👀
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2026
Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.
Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record.
The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.
