Fanco Mastantuono’s name has been generating buzz across Europe in recent weeks—and for good reason. The 17-year-old Argentine sensation has made his first public comments since sealing a high-profile transfer from River Plate to Real Madrid, and his words reflect both gratitude and excitement as he prepares for a life-changing move to Europe. But beyond the joy and anticipation, there’s a deeper story: one involving a key conversation with Xabi Alonso that ultimately shaped his decision.



In an interview with DAZN, Mastantuono spoke candidly about his journey and his thoughts on the transfer: “Any player in the world dreams of playing for River Plate and Real Madrid. I want to leave River Plate on a high note because it’s given me everything, and I’m very grateful. My focus is on River Plate and trying to win the tournament.”



His words come at a time of mixed emotions for River Plate fans, who are proud of their academy graduate yet saddened to see him leave. The teenager will remain with the club until August, when he turns 18, before officially joining Real Madrid.



Real Madrid’s move for Mastantuono was anything but casual. The €63 million investment—€45 million in release clause and €18.2 million in taxes and fees—shows how serious the Spanish giants are about his future. And while PSG and other European giants showed interest, it was a personal touch that made the difference.



“The way [Xabi Alonso] spoke to me was incredible, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. The conversation was very influential because having the manager want you is a significant vote of confidence for a player,” Mastantuono shared. “Leaving a club like River Plate isn’t easy, and his words really motivated me to make that leap.”



<h2>Xabi Alonso’s vision for Mastantuono</h2>



Now, the mystery is over: Xabi Alonso doesn’t just see Mastantuono as a future star—he plans to integrate him immediately. According to reports from Spain, the Spaniard intends to use Mastantuono as a starting right winger in his preferred 4-3-3 formation. This position will place him alongside Vinicius Junior on the left and Kylian Mbappe through the center, creating one of the most electrifying front lines in modern soccer.



Alonso has been impressed with the youngster’s ability to “disrupt from the wing, his reading of the game, and his maturity in offensive zones.” It’s a move that reveals not only tactical foresight but immense trust in Mastantuono’s capacity to perform on football’s biggest stage.



Though primarily pegged as a winger, Alonso also sees versatility in Mastantuono’s game. There’s talk of using him as an attacking midfielder in select matches to exploit his “movements between the lines and ability to link up in short spaces.”

Franco Mastantuono’s first words as Real Madrid star – And where Xabi Alonso sees him fitting in with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius

Franco Mastantuono’s first words as Real Madrid star – And where Xabi Alonso sees him fitting in with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

This writer has not fallen off the face of the earth after the season concluded in mid-May.&nbsp; I am writing this as I leave on a boat from Napoli en route to Palma de Mallorca.&nbsp; I have been traveling through Europe these past weeks, and I was in Barcelona to cover the FC Barcelona presidential elections, and that report will be disseminated once I return to the United States next week along with columns about the Spanish national team in South Africa.
After a self-imposed hiatus from a long but thrilling La Liga season, La Liga Talk will be the home for the Spanish national team in FIFA World Cup 2010.&nbsp; After a couple of friendlies against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Korea Republic, where La Furia Roja did not play as well as expected, Spain still holds the co-favorite title with Brazil to win the World Cup.&nbsp; These international exhibitions before the tournament only matter if a player or players suffer injuries that will affect their health status for any official game time (ask Ivory Coast about Didier Drogba).
As well as covering Spain throughout their excursion in South Africa, La Liga Talk will host many articles and columns about transfer rumors (including the overanalyzed and overwritten Cesc Fàbregas saga) and other news related to the twenty teams in Spain’s first division this summer.&nbsp; For example, the FC Barcelona presidential elections will take place on June 13, and the man that will lead from the top will have a major role in the future direction of one of the top club teams in world football.&nbsp; The success of outgoing president Joan Laporta heaps more pressure on the next president to continue these successful, trophy-winning seasons.
While there are no matches played on the pitch during the close season, the constant battles waged by the clubs off the pitch can sometimes determine final placement in La Liga more than what the players do on the field.&nbsp; So keep updated with summer Spanish football news with La Liga Talk, as it will be out on the forefront on the top stories emanating from Spain.

La Liga Talk Throughout the Summer - World Soccer Talk

La Liga Talk Throughout the Summer

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>If your head is spinning like mine is from all of the Premier League news from the past 48 hours, maybe it’s time to get back to reality and read some interesting posts about other football leagues other than the Premiership. Here are just a few of the excellent articles penned by the other bloggers that are part of the EPL Talk Network:
<ul>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.worldcupbuzz.com/does-capello-know-what-hes-doing/23" target="_blank">Does Capello Know What He’s Doing?</a> (World Cup Buzz) by Dominic Mather,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.bundesligatalk.com/tactical-analysis-bvb/59" target="_blank">Tactical Analysis: Borussia Dortmund</a> (Bundesliga Talk) by Double Pivot,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.championshiptalk.com/thoughts-on-the-first-month-of-the-ccc-season/137" target="_blank">Thoughts On The First Month Of The CCC Season</a> (Championship Talk) by Shakira Graham,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.championsleaguetalk.com/uefa-cup-first-round-draw-result/270" target="_blank">First Round Draw For UEFA Cup</a> (Champions League Talk) by Lonnie Smetana,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/la-liga-saturday-scores/165" target="_blank">Week 1 Scores From La Liga</a> (La Liga Talk) by Juan Arango,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.serieatalk.com/the-special-ones-goal-of-the-week/266" target="_blank">The Special One’s Goal Of The Week</a> (Serie A Talk) by Kevin Walker,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/huckerby-the-hero/367" target="_blank">Huckerby, The Hero</a> (Major League Soccer Talk) by Kartik Krishnaiyer,</li>
<li><a href="http:\/\/majorleaguesoccertalk.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=372390" target="_blank">Interview With Eric Reed</a> (Major League Soccer Talk Podcast) by Kartik Krishnaiyer.</li>
</ul>

Soccer News From Around The World: Sept. 2, 2008 - World Soccer Talk

Soccer News From Around The World: Sept. 2, 2008

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Franco Mastantuono’s first words as Real Madrid star – And where Xabi Alonso sees him fitting in with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius

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Soccer News From Around The World: Sept. 2, 2008