Thursday’s match against Venezuela will mark Argentina’s final home game in the World Cup qualifiers ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. At the same time, it could be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a>’s farewell in front of the home crowd—at least in official competition. With that backdrop, head coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the attacking options he’s considering.



With Argentina unable to count on Enzo Fernandez due to suspension after his red card against Colombia, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lionel-messi-could-miss-argentinas-premier-league-star-teammate-for-venezuela-game/">Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister likely unavailable after arriving late from England</a>, Scaloni was asked whether Franco Mastantuono could make the starting lineup.



“We spoke with him to see how he’s feeling, and it’s possible he could play,” the coach admitted in Wednesday’s press conference. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-scaloni/">Scaloni</a> quickly praised how well Mastantuono has settled in since joining Real Madrid this summer. “He’s handling it in a positive way—his coach and teammates have embraced him, and that’s important.”



Scaloni then surprised many by adding another name to the mix for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>’s attack vs. Venezuela. “Nico Paz also showed against Chile that he’s ready for this level,” said the coach, referring to the Como attacking midfielder, who has been making waves in Serie A and is reportedly drawing interest from top European clubs like Tottenham.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250903_WST_588310_Nico-Paz-1200x675_43ef5122.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-586732" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Nico Paz has played three games for Argentina.</figcaption></figure>



“Both can contribute and be part of the team. We’ll make a final decision today—these are options we’re seriously considering,” Scaloni explained. “The only way to find out is to put them on the pitch, while keeping in mind their age, no matter what happens. These are young players who will give us a lot in the future.”


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<h2>How much have Paz and Mastantuono played for Argentina?</h2>



Nicolas Paz and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/franco-mastantuono/">Franco Mastantuono</a> are part of a wave of young talent that has joined the Argentina national team since the 2022 World Cup win in Qatar. They’re competing for spots on the squad for next year’s tournament alongside other promising names like Claudio Echeverri, Valentin Carboni, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Buonanotte.



Paz has just three senior appearances with Argentina. He made his debut in October 2024, coming on in the final 17 minutes of a 6–0 win over Bolivia in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup-qualifiers/">World Cup qualifiers</a>—during which he assisted Lionel Messi on one of the goals. He later featured in two more matches in the same competition, against Brazil and Chile. The latter was his only start to date.



Mastantuono’s experience with Argentina is even more limited. In that same match against Chile during the June international break, the Real Madrid winger made his debut, entering in the final six minutes. At just 17 years old, Franco became the youngest player ever to appear in an official match for Argentina.



<h2>Messi will be in the starting lineup</h2>



In the same press conference, Lionel Scaloni was asked about the status of Lionel Messi, who recovered from a muscle injury just a week ago. Despite that, the coach left no room for doubt regarding his plans for the forward: “Yes, Leo is going to play tomorrow. How could he not play?”

Two Argentina rising stars battling for spot alongside Messi in Scaloni’s World Cup qualifier plan vs Venezuela

Two Argentina rising stars battling for spot alongside Messi in Scaloni’s World Cup qualifier plan vs Venezuela - World Soccer Talk

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It took only 10 days at Real Madrid for Franco Mastantuono to etch his name into the club’s history books. Handpicked by head coach <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/xabi-alonso/">Xabi Alonso</a> for the starting XI against Real Oviedo on Matchday 2 of the 2025/26 LaLiga season, the teenager from Azul, Argentina, became the youngest <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/">Real Madrid</a> starter in a domestic league match in the last 20 years.



According to stats expert OptaJavier, Mastantuono—just 18 years and 10 days old—claimed the milestone previously held by Brazilian wonderkid <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/endrick">Endrick</a>, who started against Getafe on Matchday 33 of the 2024/25 season.



Mastantuono featured for 63 minutes at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere before being replaced by Brahim Díaz, making an immediate impression with his composure and confidence on the ball. The date, August 24, 2025, will be remembered as the moment a new chapter began for Real Madrid’s next potential star.



<h2>Joining a historic list</h2>



The teenager’s breakthrough not only surpassed Endrick’s mark but also pushed aside another historic record. Mastantuono’s appearance came earlier than that of Miguel Pardeza, who started a league match for Madrid at 18 years and 25 days back on January 31, 1984.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250825_WST_586582_Mastantuono-4-1200x675_3e887df7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-586591" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/25115029/Mastantuono-4-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/25115029/Mastantuono-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/25115029/Mastantuono-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/25115029/Mastantuono-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/25115029/Mastantuono-4.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



The full ranking of Madrid’s youngest starters features some illustrious names. At the top is Martin Ødegaard, who made the lineup on May 23, 2015, at just 16 years, 5 months, and 6 days. He is followed by Alberto Rivera, who debuted on June 10, 1995, at 16 years, 11 months, and 24 days. José Antonio Erice is next, starting on March 1, 1916, at 17 years and 1 day, while Raúl González, one of the most iconic players in club history, entered the XI on October 29, 1994, at 17 years, 4 months, and 2 days.


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Now, Mastantuono finds himself on that prestigious list, sparking excitement among Madridistas eager to see how far his talent can take him.



<h2>Looking ahead to Mallorca</h2>



Real Madrid continues its LaLiga campaign this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu, hosting Mallorca on Matchday 3. After back-to-back wins—1–0 against Osasuna and 3–0 away at Oviedo—the team will look to maintain momentum.



Reports from Valdebebas training suggest that Mastantuono has a real chance to start again, potentially forming an attacking trident alongside Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. For a player barely past his 18th birthday, the opportunity to line up with two of the world’s biggest stars underscores just how highly Xabi Alonso rates him.

Franco Mastantuono registers historic feat in his first start for Real Madrid

Franco Mastantuono registers historic feat in his first start for Real Madrid - World Soccer Talk

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Two Argentina rising stars battling for spot alongside Messi in Scaloni’s World Cup qualifier plan vs Venezuela

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Franco Mastantuono registers historic feat in his first start for Real Madrid