Franco Mastantuono’s last game in a River Plate shirt didn’t end the way he hoped. The 17-year-old couldn’t hold back tears after a 2–0 loss to Inter Milan, which knocked the Argentine side out of the 2025 Club World Cup. At Lumen Field in Seattle, the young midfielder looked devastated, knowing this was the end of his first chapter with the club that raised him.

Despite starting all three group-stage games, Mastantuono couldn’t manage a goal or an assist—a quiet tournament that left mixed feelings among fans and coaches. It was a contrast to his breakout performances earlier in the year. After the final whistle, he exchanged greetings with fellow Argentinians like Lautaro Martínez, but the most shared moment was a video of him walking alone, in tears, back to the locker room.

Heading to Madrid at just 17

His move to Real Madrid is already official. He’ll join the Spanish club in August once he turns 18. Madrid, still alive in the Club World Cup, will welcome him after the team’s summer break, just in time for the 2025/26 season under new manager Xabi Alonso.

For Marcelo Gallardo, losing Mastantuono is a tough blow. The River boss had hoped to keep the youngster at least through 2026, but now he’ll have to rethink his squad ahead of the Copa Libertadores knockout rounds, which River Plate will have to tackle without one of their brightest young stars.

Even though he didn’t go out with a big performance or a trophy, Franco Mastantuono leaves a lasting mark: 64 games, 10 goals, and unforgettable moments—like his stunning free-kick goal against Boca Juniors. Now, a new adventure begins at one of the world’s biggest clubs.