River de Azul, the club where Franco Mastantuono took his first steps at the age of 4 until his arrival at River Plate in 2019, initiated an extrajudicial claim to receive the corresponding compensation for the midfielder's transfer to Real Madrid.
The institution from the Buenos Aires interior formalized the request to collect training rights and other concepts provided for by FIFA regulations and the Argentine Football Association (AFA). So far, according to an official statement published on its social media, they haven't received any payment from the Núñez club.
El comunicado de River de Azul
"The claim remains extrajudicial for now, but if there's no agreement, we do not rule out initiating legal action," the club stated. According to various sources, no formal submission has been made to the AFA so far.
How the transfer money will be distributed
Mastantuono's transfer was closed at a record figure: €63.2 million in total. Of that amount, River will receive €45 million net, while the rest will be distributed among taxes and fees:
€11.8 millionfor the Spanish tax authorities
€1.4 millionfor the Players' Union
€0.9 millionfor AFA structural funds
€3.6 millionunder Decree 510/2023
€0.5 millionin other fees
The payment will be made in three installments: €20 million this year, €12.5 million in June 2026, and the remaining €12.5 million in June 2027.
Mastantuono's farewell message
The young player won't be part of River's preseason and will train separately until his trip to Spain. In this context, he sent a farewell letter to the club and its fans.
Mastantuono se despídió de River
"With my heart in my hand and many mixed emotions, I want to tell you that I have to take a very important step in my career: a new stage is beginning, at another club, in another place, with new challenges. It's a unique opportunity, one of those that only comes once in a lifetime and that any kid who dreams of playing soccer longs for since childhood," the message began.
He then added: "River isn't just the club where I grew up as a player. It's my home, my family, the place where I learned what it means to wear this jersey with pride, with respect, with a hunger for glory" and highlighted the "unconditional affection" of the fans and the club's people for his development. "River taught me that dreams are pursued with humility, effort, and love for the jersey," he commented.
"Yes, there's something I want to make very clear: my dream of winning things with River hasn't disappeared. It hasn't gone away. It just changed order. Today I have to leave, grow, live new experiences, and learn. But the desire remains intact, stronger than ever. I know it's going to happen. Thank you, River, for everything. This isn't goodbye, it's see you soon," the player concluded.
