The Argentina national team continues to bet on young talent, and this time it was Franco Mastantuono who stole the spotlight. At just 17 years old, the River Plate midfielder made his debut with the Albiceleste, leaving a good impression in the narrow 1–0 win over Chile in Santiago, in a match corresponding to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

The attacking midfielder came on in the final minutes of the match, replacing Thiago Almada, and in his very first action, he drew a yellow card from Guillermo Maripán, who had to foul him to stop a counterattack. This debut not only marks a key milestone in his career, but also fuels the interest of Real Madrid, a club reportedly willing to pay the €45 million release clause in his contract.

Scaloni highlights his potential: “He has a great future”

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni did not hold back in praising the young prospect. In the post-match press conference, he stated: “Franco has a big future ahead of him. We’re being cautious with his development, but we know he can be an important part of the team moving forward.”

Scaloni also revealed that the coaching staff tried to shield the youngster from the media pressure surrounding his possible move to the Spanish giants. “We barely spoke to him during camp. For someone his age, a debut like that can be overwhelming. I only gave him instructions right before he came on—I told him to play on the right,” said the coach.

With this appearance, Mastantuono becomes the youngest player to debut under Scaloni, and his name is gaining traction across Europe. Real Madrid is following him closely, and the transfer is expected to be finalized after he takes part in the Club World Cup with River Plate, which will take place from June 14 to July 13.

The Argentine squad, already qualified for the upcoming World Cup with 31 points in the standings, will also face Colombia next Tuesday in Buenos Aires. And while the focus remains on the team’s collective goals, Mastantuono’s emergence hasn’t gone unnoticed. With a mix of talent, maturity, and potential, the young star seems destined to follow in the footsteps of other South American gems who’ve shined in European football.