Franco Mastantuono: From Tennis Promise to River Plate's Gem

Franco Mastantuono, born on August 14, 2007 in Azul, Buenos Aires province, is one of the greatest promises of Argentine soccer. Before shining on the soccer fields, he stood out as one of the best junior tennis players in the country, ranking among the top five in the national under-12 category.

At eight years old, he participated in a soccer trial organized by River Plate in his hometown, where he impressed with his talent and maturity. However, at that time he decided to continue his career in tennis. It was not until 2019 that, with more than 15 titles as a tennis player, he decided to focus on soccer and joined River Plate's youth divisions.

His rise in the club was meteoric. In August 2023, he signed his first professional contract with a release clause of 30 million dollars. He debuted in the first division on January 28, 2024, becoming the third youngest player to do so in the club's history. Later, on February 7, 2024, he scored his first official goal, becoming River Plate's youngest scorer, surpassing Javier Saviola's record.

Internationally, he represented Argentina in the 2023 U-17 World Cup and the 2025 South American U-20 Championship. His performance has caught the attention of European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and AC Milan, although River Plate has secured his contract with a release clause that amounts to 50 million dollars at the close of the last transfer market.

At just 17 years old, Mastantuono is already a key player in the team led by Marcelo Gallardo, standing out for his creativity, vision of the game, passing accuracy, and ability to score decisive goals. His story is an example of talent and determination, and his future in soccer promises to be bright.