Real Madrid forward Franco Mastantuono will not be called up to the World Cup squad of reigning champions Argentina – renowned journalist covering the national team, Gaston Edul, confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
Mastantuono joined Real Madrid from River Plate in the summer of 2025. It was an urgent operation that cost Real Madrid 45 million euros. Expectations were high, but the 18-year-old has barely lived up to
them. He was a regular starter under Xabi Alonso for the first part of the season. He showed signs of his talent briefly but once he lost his first XI berth, he never recovered.
He scored only three goals and registered one assist in around 1500 minutes for Real Madrid this season. It is widely reported that Mastantuono will be sent out on loan to gain confidence and game time this summer.
With Mastantuono, all three summer signings of Real Madrid, including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras, are out of the World Cup squads of their respective countries. Lionel Scaloni is expected to officially announce Argentina’s 26-man squad on Friday.
