Franco Mastantuono will undergo a critical preseason with Real Madrid, as he attempts to secure his place in José Mourinho’s first-team plans, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo. The 18-year-old Argentine winger must impress the new manager or face the prospect of a loan move before the start of the upcoming season.
Mastantuono experienced a challenging first campaign at the Bernabéu following a €60 million transfer from River Plate. He made 35 appearances for the club, starting 17 matches, but only completed a full 90 minutes on one occasion. Across 1,484 minutes of play, he registered three goals and one assist, falling short of expectations given his significant price tag.
The young attacker’s playing time diminished as the season progressed, particularly after the arrival of Álvaro Arbeloa. The transition to Mourinho’s tactical system, which is still underway, also contributed to his limited involvement. Mastantuono was also notably left out of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad for the recent World Cup, highlighting the gap between his potential and current performance.
Mourinho’s preseason training camp at Valdebebas presents Mastantuono with an early opportunity to make a positive impression. He is one of eight first-team players already participating in the opening sessions, giving him a head start before the majority of the squad returns from international duty. The absence of Rodrygo, who is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in March and is expected to be sidelined until November or December, and Arda Güler, who is still on holiday, creates a clear opening on the right flank for the upcoming preseason friendlies.
However, the pressure is considerable. Mourinho is known for his demanding standards during preseason, and his history with young wide players suggests that tactical discipline and defensive contributions will be as important as attacking creativity. Mastantuono’s natural skillset leans towards being a left-footed attacking creator, and adapting his game to meet Mourinho’s requirements within a short timeframe will be a significant challenge.
Mundo Deportivo suggests that Mastantuono views this preseason as his chance to prove himself to the Portuguese coach. Should he fail to convince Mourinho, a loan to a club in La Liga or another high-level European league is the most likely outcome. This would allow him to gain valuable playing time and regain momentum without completely devaluing the initial investment made by Real Madrid. The final decision will likely be made based on Mourinho’s initial team selections and the closing weeks of the summer transfer window.
