Franco Mastantuono was officially presented as a Fiorentina player on Thursday following his loan move from Real Madrid, with the Argentine explaining his decision to move to Serie A and reflecting on a difficult season in Spain.
Mastantuono arrives in Florence looking for an opportunity to continue his development and secure more consistent playing time. During his presentation, he said Fiorentina’s project and the opportunity to experience Italian football were important factors behind his decision.
“I chose Fiorentina because they presented me with a very interesting, growing project, and I believe it was also important for my career to come to this type of club. I’m very happy with the decision I’ve made. Italian football is very important in the world, and I’ve always liked the idea of playing in this country. Now I have the opportunity, and I hope to develop here and have a great season with Fiorentina.”
Mastantuono was also asked about Nico Paz, another young Argentine who left Real Madrid for Serie A and established himself at Como. While Mastantuono has followed Paz’s progress and knows him from the Argentine national team, he played down comparisons between the two players.
“I haven’t spoken with Nico Paz, but we played together for the national team. I’ve followed his career; he’s had a huge impact at Como. He’s a great person and a great player, but I don’t compare myself to anyone. I’m here to help the team and achieve our goals. I hope to have a good season.”
Fiorentina’s strong Argentine history also played a role in attracting Mastantuono to Florence. Gabriel Batistuta remains one of the most iconic players in the club’s history, while Mastantuono said conversations with other Argentinians who have represented Fiorentina helped him make his decision.
“One of the greatest icons of this club is Batistuta, a Fiorentina legend. I’ve spoken with Argentinians who have played for this team and they’ve spoken wonders of it, which helped me make my decision. I would love to be part of the club’s history.”
Despite still being at an early stage of his career, Mastantuono has already experienced the demands of playing for two of world football’s biggest clubs in River Plate and Real Madrid. The Argentine said those experiences have taught him how to handle pressure, something he believes will benefit him going forward.
“I’ve had the opportunity and the privilege of playing for River Plate and Real Madrid, two important, truly great teams. I like the pressure, because it’s a game we play with a lot of passion, but it’s also a job. For me, those two experiences were unique, as was playing in such imposing stadiums. These are factors that will also help me in the future of my career.”
Mastantuono also provided more detail on how his departure from Real Madrid came about. He revealed that he had several options available to him, but Fiorentina’s proposal and his conversation with the coach ultimately convinced him that Florence was the right destination.
He also acknowledged the difficulties of his most recent season at Real Madrid but insisted he does not view the Fiorentina move as an opportunity for “revenge.” Instead, his focus is on demonstrating his qualities, continuing his development, and helping his new club.
“When I spoke with Real Madrid, it was a cordial and friendly conversation. I decided to leave the club; I had many options, and I thank everyone who showed interest. But when I spoke with Fiorentina and the coach, the project impressed me greatly, and therefore, I made the decision a week before the announcement. At Real Madrid, we had a challenging season for everyone; it wasn’t easy, but these experiences always help you learn and improve. There’s always room for growth. Coming here isn’t about revenge, but rather an opportunity to show the kind of player I am and help Fiorentina become the great team it is, as well as being happy playing football.”
