Real Madrid signs Mastantuono: here’s how much the new signing has cost

He was on his way to becoming a tennis player and ended up at the Bernabéu. Life sure takes some turns. And everything can change in just a week. Because now it’s official: Mastantuono will be a Real Madrid player. A statement in the future tense, because that’s how it’s signed: he’ll play the Club World Cup with River Plate and join in August, when he turns 18 (on the 14th).

He still has one tournament left with the other team of his heart. The last one. And after that, history to be written. As a footballer, better to let him define himself: “I’m left-footed, I like to dribble, be direct, and shoot from distance.” A bold player is arriving; a diamond. End of the saga. From Azul to Chamartín. And until 2031.

Mastantuono chose Real Madrid over PSG

Paradoxes of youth — tinged with vertigo — when his contract ends… he’ll still be 23 years old. Only 23, barely touching 24.

A magic wand is arriving. He’s 1.77 meters tall, a free-kick taker, and plays as an attacking midfielder, though he can also drift out to the right wing. In fact, one of his trademark moves is receiving wide and dribbling inside. The Messi school. And yet, his opposite: despite the Barcelona fever Leo sparked in Argentina, Mastantuono has always been a Real Madrid fan. It was his other team, along with River. His dream. Now a reality.

None of this is trivial: Mastantuono chose Real Madrid above all else. Promises, money—everything. His desire to arrive at Chamartín was decisive in the deal, because PSG had it wrapped up. 99% done. Literally, only the signature was missing. Al Khelaïfi had been working quietly on the deal for several weeks, looking for that final stroke behind the backs of all the other suitors. In silence. But Real Madrid has eyes in every corner of the world… and they found out. What followed was a seven-day earthquake: from June 4 to the 11th, when he signed.

At Chamartín, they had been tracking him for many months. Almost two years (they were close to signing him last year, but when his release clause jumped from $15M to $45M, everything stalled). He had always been a target—but not an urgent one. The problem was, it was sign him now… or lose him. And with that on the table, there was no choice but to shift into high gear and activate the heavy machinery. Juni Calafat—who was already in Buenos Aires—and José Ángel Sánchez, in person, came together in Argentina to lead the negotiations. River Plate pointed to the clause ($51M), but the good relationship between the clubs made everything easier.

Because it’s worth remembering that Jorge Brito, president, and Ignacio Villarroel, second vice president, were in the Bernabéu’s VIP box this season—as invited guests—watching the Real Madrid–Leganés match. Just as an example. That good relationship didn’t help lower the price, but it did allow for a payment plan to be agreed upon. In total, River will receive $51M for Mastantuono: his release clause. To that amount, you have to add $20M in taxes. And a small cut will go to the Monumental. In short: $71M will leave the coffers.

And Mastantuono will arrive. A footballer who has just lived through a turbulent seven days. He had everything done with PSG and suddenly… Real Madrid appeared. That’s when his pulse quickened and he stopped everything. He always had it clear: “Madrid is Madrid.” His exact words. Luis Enrique called him twice, but all it took was a single video call from Xabi Alonso—joined by Solari, one of his strongest advocates—for him to melt like a sugar cube. His side was simple. And after several days of negotiations between clubs, there was an agreement.

When will Mastantuono play for Real Madrid?

Only one detail proved more resistant than expected: when to join Real Madrid. There were three options on the table: before the Club World Cup, after the World Cup, or in January. In the end, it will be the second. Settled. And that’s even though Mastantuono’s dream was to win the Libertadores (the final is on November 29, in Lima) and then join Real Madrid. To leave the Monumental as a legend.

But he always made one thing clear: he would never be an obstacle to the deal. If this jeopardized the signing, he would step aside and accept it. He simply wanted to express his ideal scenario. Same for River. But it was Real Madrid who made it known that they want him now—because they see him as ready now. So, he will land in Madrid on August 15, after the Club World Cup and one day after turning 18. A footballer with shades of being generational. And he won’t take up a non-EU spot: since he holds an Italian passport, he counts as European. One of the three non-EU spots will remain available: Trent and Endrick do take up spots.

“He was one of the best tennis players in the country,” recalls Guillermo Coria, who coached him as a child. Mastantuono was born on August 14, 2007, and played in national tournaments. But football always called to him, an idea reinforced by his father, who was a coach. He was a kid with a gift for sports. He was equally good with the racket as with the ball. And for a time, he did both. At nine years old, Daniel Brizuela, head of scouting at River Plate, saw him and was captivated (“my instinct told me he was a prodigy, a truly exceptional talent”). He wanted to sign him. But not immediately.

Mastantuono lived in Azul, a humble town 300 kilometers from Buenos Aires. And he was nine years old. His parents decided it was better for him to keep playing tennis. And he did… but only for two more years. After that time, he accepted River Plate’s offer and joined their academy. A precocious talent like few others: in 2019 he debuted with the youth team, winning the league. He was becoming a reality. And in 2024 he made history: the third youngest debutant in River Plate’s history (16 years and 167 days).

This season has been his definitive supernova: a starter… and already 61 matches played. He has scored ten goals and provided seven assists. He’s involved in a goal every 176 minutes. And these numbers come before even reaching adulthood. At just 17 years old, he is already the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history (16 years, five months, and 24 days), the youngest River scorer in Libertadores history (16 years and 254 days), and the youngest River scorer against Boca Juniors (17 years, eight months, and 13 days). The latter thanks to what is, to date, the best strike of his career: a free kick into the top corner.

And that moment could be the summary: he has an exquisite touch on the ball. Both for combining, assisting, and striking. He’s a talent; someone born with a gift. His main position is attacking midfielder, but he also plays wide on the right wing. He’s left-footed and takes set pieces (both corners and direct free kicks). A complete footballer: excellent dribbler and outstanding shooter. To put it in perspective, while keeping distances, he’s a player with a style similar to Lamine Yamal—who is from the same year—though less explosive one-on-one and a bit better in link-up play. Nuances. But that profile.

His football has taken him all the way to the senior national team, with which he debuted early Saturday morning against Chile. He became the youngest debutant in history (breaking Heisinger’s record: 18 years, one month, and six days). Although, counting friendlies, this milestone still belongs to Maradona (16 years, three months, and 28 days). Mastantuono debuted at 17 years, nine months, and 21 days. A footballer who has sparked hope in his country. Not an exaggeration. With aura and hints of a global star. His signing by Real Madrid, of course, fuels this feeling. Real Madrid hadn’t signed an Argentine since 2010 (Di María) and hadn’t had one in the first team since 2014 (Di María himself). Nico Paz chose the Albiceleste but with a reserve team contract.

Precisely one of the names involved in this deal: two weeks ago, Real Madrid had decided to bring him back. To pay the $9M on his buy-back option and have him at the Club World Cup. But the ‘Mastantuono Operation’ has put his case on hold. Because now, there’s overbooking. Xabi Alonso already has Güler, Brahim… and Rodrygo, who has been playing in his area. There’s no space. Despite this, it’s not ruled out that his buy-back option will be executed, but it will definitely be after the World Cup. Then, with more calm, the situation will be analyzed.

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The bet is on Mastantuono. The youngest goalscorer in River Plate’s entire history. The youngest debutant in Argentina’s history. And the most expensive transfer in national history. He’s the 17-year-old kid who has ignited hope in Argentina. There, he’s seen as a compatriot returning to Real Madrid’s first team—something that hadn’t happened since 2014. The day before yesterday, he passed his medical and signed the contract. Today, it’s official. He will join on August 15, a day after turning 18. The signing is now a fact: he will play for Real Madrid. The other team of his heart, alongside River Plate. Left-footed, free-kick taker, and a three-quarter player. Great shot, great pass, great dribbler. A prodigy. The kid who was going to be a tennis player ended up at the Bernabéu. Life sure takes some turns. And for now, until he’s 23. Until 2031.

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