Real Madrid News
Real Madrid open to loaning out teenage prodigy but past failures cause concern
Franco Mastantuono’s future remains a grey area as the summer transfer window approaches, primarily because Real Madrid are stuck in two minds about his next step.
After arriving in June, the player started off strong under Xabi Alonso and made a strong case to be a regular starter in attack.
A bout of pubalgia and a managerial change, however, changed everything for the player and his season took a turn for the worse. As of today, he has just played over 1200 minutes for the team with four goal contributions to his name.
Open to loan exit
As relayed by AS in a recent report, Real Madrid see the need for Mastantuono to have regular minutes next season but concurrently understands that there is no place for him in the team’s plans for next season.
The team retain complete faith in the player and do not wish to let go of him just a year after bringing him on as a top talent. The idea of a loan, thus, is being considered.
Real Madrid trust the idea of loaning out players as it has yielded good results in the past. Brahim Diaz, for one, is an example, as he spent time away on loan at AC Milan before returning and establishing himself in the team.
Past cases cause concern
However, there is also a serious sense of doubt given how the Reinier Jesus and Takefusa Kubo deals have gone for them in recent times.
Reinier, signed from Cruzeiro in Brazil in January 2020, spent years on loan at various clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and Girona, among others, but never clicked.
Kubo, too, was sent out on loan to multiple clubs but was unable to make the step up before eventually joining Real Sociedad on a permanent transfer.
So, those failures are causing some concern at Real Madrid as they contemplate what to dow with Mastantuono.
European clubs are already aware of Mastantuono’s situation and are positioning themselves to get him on loan. His former club, River Plate, have even called for his return with open arms.
The final decision, however, is yet to be taken by Real Madrid’s hierarchy as they must finalise whether a loan will help the player kick his elite European career off or further hinder his opportunities.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu is leading option to host 2030 World Cup final; official decision may not come until 2028
The Santiago Bernabeu has emerged as the leading candidate to host the 2030 World Cup final, potentially bringing the biggest match in international football to Real Madrid’s home.
The 2030 edition is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and the Bernabeu has been among the venues under consideration to host the marquee event.
According to journalist Jose Felix Diaz (h/t Madrid Zone), the Bernabeu is currently the leading option for the final.
However, the process remains far from complete, with no official decision expected until 2027, or potentially even 2028.
Bernabeu moves to front of the race
For Real Madrid, having the Bernabeu positioned as the current favourite represents another significant endorsement of the stadium following its enormous redevelopment.
Madrid did not modernise the ground simply to improve the experience on match days.
The wider ambition has been to turn the Bernabeu into one of the world’s premier sporting and entertainment venues.
Hosting a World Cup final ahead of the likes of the Spotify Camp Nou would represent the ultimate confirmation of that status.
No decision should be considered final
There is an important distinction, however, between being the leading option and actually securing the match.
With a final decision potentially still two years away, plenty could change. Other stadiums such as the Camp Nou or the Hassan II Stadium could enter the running.
The Bernabeu nevertheless possesses an obvious historical argument. The stadium already hosted the 1982 World Cup final, when Italy defeated West Germany to become world champions.
The renovated Bernabeu hosting the biggest international match in football would make it one of the most watched games in the history of the sport.
The potential disadvantage could come in terms of capacity, with both the Camp Nou and the Hassan II Stadium set to have a higher capacity once completed.
However, the history of the stadium and the magnitude of the occasion should see Madrid get the final ahead of other contenders in an ideal world.
The 2030 World Cup final may be some way away, but plans are already being made, and it remains to be seen whether the Bernabeu is chosen as the venue for the final.
Samuel
May 1, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Send him to como, and Germany clubs it could help him mature in his game.