River will receive 45 million euros net for the transfer of Franco Mastantuono to Real Madrid. The Spanish club will cover the taxes, which represent more than 25% of the total clause, raising the final price to 60 million.
The economic beneficiaries of the operation include the player himself, the AFA, Futbolistas Argentinos Agremiados, the local government of the selling club (CABA), and also the club that developed the midfielder: Cemento Armado de Azul, his hometown.
Mastantuono se formó en Cemento Armado de Azul
Mastantuono took his first steps at that club and then joined River's youth divisions, where he made his first-team debut at just 16 years old. His debut was under the management of Martín Demichelis, although it was with Marcelo Gallardo that he managed to establish himself. Since his breakthrough at the 2023 U-17 World Cup, which he reached at just 15 years old, the world's top clubs have set their sights on him.
How much will Cemento Armado de Azul receive?
Armando Brancatelli, a historic leader of the Buenos Aires club, spoke with Súper Deportivo Radio of Radio Villa Trinidad and revealed the estimated amount they will receive for training rights after the clause is executed.
"For the training rights, we would be entitled to more than 250 million pesos (551,156 dollars). That amount changes our lives; for a club from the interior, it marks a turning point," he said.
La cifra es histórica para el club
Brancatelli also shared the dreams that this income inspires for the institution: "With that money, we dream of building a team to become champions. At the club, we don't have a swimming pool and it would be great. Others ask me for a stand for visiting fans. You start thinking and you can build both the pool and the stand. There would even be money left over."
He also recalled Franco's beginnings: "In 2019, he played on Fridays for Cemento and on Sundays for River in the Metropolitan League. Afterwards, he would return to go to school on Monday here in Azul. In Azul, all the kids stopped wanting to be Messi to become Mastantuono."
"He's our Franco, just as Matías Almeyda was from Azul in his time. The future of Azul is Franco Mastantuono, there is no doubt. Until recently, it was not seen, but today everyone is wearing the number 30 jersey and wants to be Franco Mastantuono," he concluded.
