Real Madrid News
Real Madrid new signing Franco Mastantuono bids emotional farewell to River Plate
Real Madrid completed the signing of teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono from Argentine giants River Plate last month.
The 17-year-old wonderkid became the Merengues’ third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, Real Madrid allowed Mastantuono to stay at River Plate and play for them at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The youngster is expected to arrive at the club in August, once he turns 18 years old.
Mastantuono says goodbye to River Plate
Following River Plate’s elimination from the Club World Cup at the group stage itself, Mastantuono’s time at the club is now at an end.
And taking to social media, the versatile attacking midfielder penned an emotional farewell message for his boyhood club ahead of his move to Real Madrid.
“Today it is my turn to write a few lines that I never imagined I would have to write so soon,” started Mastantuono.
“With my heart in my hand and many emotions, I want to tell you that I have to take a very important step in my career: a new stage is starting, at another club, in another place, with new challenges.”
Calling the move to Real Madrid an once-in-a-lifetime chance, he continued: “It’s a unique opportunity, one of those that comes along only once in a lifetime, and that every kid who dreams of playing football has longed for since he was a child.”
Sharing his love for River Plate, the youngster wrote: “But before I look ahead, I need to tell you about what I leave behind. River is not only the club where I grew up as a player.
“It is my home, my family, the place where I learned what it means to wear this shirt with pride, with respect, with a hunger for glory.
“Every training session at the ground, every afternoon at the Monumental, every piece of advice from a teacher, every hug from a team-mate, is forever engraved in my history and in my heart.”
Mastantuono then expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped him at River Plate: “I leave full of gratitude. To the fans, for their unconditional affection. To all the people at the club for training me. To my teammates, for sharing this passion.
“And to my family, for always being there. River taught me that dreams are pursued with humility, effort and love for the shirt.”
In the final part, Mastantuono stressed that his desire to win and succeed with River has not gone, and that it will happen in the future.
“And yes, there is something I want to make very clear: my dream of winning things with River did not disappear. It didn’t go away. It just changed the order. Today it’s my turn to go out, to grow, to live new experiences and to learn.
“But the desire is still intact, stronger than ever. I know it will happen. Because dreams that are felt with the soul have no expiry date.”
“Thank you, River, for everything. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon,” he concluded.
Mastantuono is expected to arrive in Spain some time later this month and will be put to training under the supervision of Real Madrid’s staff, although he will have to wait until next month to report to Valdebebas to join his teammates.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid key midfielder ready to start vs Atletico Madrid after strong return from injury
Real Madrid have had a few injuries to contend with since the start of the season, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick all serving spells on the sidelines.
The trio are back in training now and looking to work their way into Jose Mourinho’s plans after a disrupted pre-season.
Now, according to Alberto Pereiro, Tchouameni appears to be winning the race to return to Real Madrid’s starting XI for the derby against Atletico Madrid.
The 26-year-old is said to be in the best physical condition of the players who have recently returned from injury.
Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Tchouameni all rejoined team training last week, but the Frenchman is currently considered the most match-ready of the three.
Tchouameni ahead in the recovery race
As such, Tchouameni is now expected to start against Atletico Madrid later this week. That would be an important boost for Mourinho considering the physical nature of the game in store.
Tchouameni gives Real Madrid something very specific in midfield. He can protect the defence, compete in duels, cover large spaces and provide the kind of structure Mourinho values when matches become chaotic.
His return would also allow Real Madrid to approach the game with more balance around Federico Valverde and the attacking players ahead of them.
Mourinho has always valued his profile
Mourinho has been careful with Tchouameni’s recovery rather than rushing him back before he was fully ready.
That patience now looks set to pay off. Madrid have enough technical quality in midfield, but against Atletico, the game is unlikely to be decided by possession alone.
The ability to win second balls, close transition spaces and survive physically intense periods could be just as important.
This is exactly where Tchouameni thrives.
Pitarch and Endrick may need more time
The latest update also suggests Pitarch and Endrick are slightly behind Tchouameni in terms of physical readiness.
That does not necessarily mean either player is unavailable, but it would make sense for Mourinho to manage their minutes more cautiously. The duo are expected to be fully ready after the international break.
Pitarch still has an important role to play in a crowded midfield, while Endrick will be looking to re-establish himself in the attacking rotation after his own injury interruption.
For the derby, neither of those players is likely to be an option for the XI, but Tchouameni will definitely be a great addition.
If he does start, it would underline how highly Mourinho values him in the biggest matches. At the Metropolitano, Madrid may need Tchouameni more than anyone else, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
