Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is excited about the prospect of new signing Franco Mastantuono heading into the new season and declares that he is ready for the LaLiga matchday one showdown against Osasuna, Softfootball reports.
The highly rated Argentine joined the Los Blancos this summer after the FIFA Club World Cup and he is ready to go despite playing in Europe for the very first time. He is already described as magical by former Real Madrid star, Angel di Maria.
Fabrizio Romano shared a post on his official X handle on Alonso’s interview ahead of Real Madrid’s first LaLiga match in the 2025/26 season.
Fabrizio wrote:
“Xabi Alonso: “Franco Mastantuono has an incredible left foot. He’s very good and he can play tomorrow”.
“He has the quality, the energy, he’s committed defensively, good momentum, the Argentine competitive spirit. He’s good with the final pass. He’s at a very good level”.
Just Real Madrid legend, Alfredo Di Stéfano, the 18-year-old represented River Plate and draws inspiration from that as he begins his Real Madrid adventure like he admitted during his unveiling.
He said:
“My first dream as a footballer was to play for River, the greatest team in America, and I managed to do that. I wasn’t fortunate enough to watch Di Stéfano, but my grandparents told me all about him. What he meant for football and for Real Madrid is unbelievable. It’s amazing to go from River to the greatest club in the world.”
Mastantuono also draws motivation from another Argentine, Lionel Messi, who played for Real Madrid arch-rivals Barcelona but a figure well respected in the football world.
“Messi meant a lot to Barcelona and to all the Argentines who watched him play. Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world and in history. I’m here to make my mark, and what I most want, is for the Real Madrid fans to be happy with what I can do on the pitch.”
Real Madrid’s match against Osasuna will be played on Tuesday, 9:00 pm CEST.
Real Madrid squad for the game:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Sergio Mestre.
Defenders: Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Trent, Asencio, Á. Carreras, Fran García and Huijsen.
Midfielders: Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Ceballos and Thiago.
Forwards: Vini Jr., Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Brahim and Mastantuono.
