A Costly Blow Before the Trip to England

Real Madrid will travel to Liverpool without one of their most promising young stars. Franco Mastantuono has been ruled out of Tuesday’s Champions League match at Anfield after being diagnosed with pubalgia, a groin-related condition that often demands rest and gradual recovery.

The Argentine midfielder did not take part in Monday’s session at Valdebebas, where Xabi Alonso’s side trained behind closed doors. The coach opted to stay in Madrid rather than hold the usual session at the opponent’s stadium, aiming to fine-tune tactics in privacy ahead of a crucial European clash against the Reds.

An Injury That Raises Concerns in Madrid

At just 18 years old, Mastantuono had started Saturday’s league game against Valencia, completing the full 90 minutes despite struggling with discomfort. Those symptoms worsened, and medical tests confirmed the pubalgia diagnosis — a condition that causes pain in the lower abdomen and groin area, particularly when sprinting or striking the ball.

Although no recovery timeline has been made public, the coaching staff plans to proceed with caution. Pubalgia is notoriously unpredictable — some players recover in a few weeks, others need months. In Mastantuono’s case, Real Madrid aims to avoid any risk of relapse that could slow his steady rise in the first team.

A Growing Problem Among Young Stars

The injury keeping Mastantuono sidelined isn’t an isolated case. At FC Barcelona, Lamine Yamal is also being handled with care due to the same condition, which has reduced his playing time in recent matches. Experts warn that pubalgia is becoming increasingly common among young footballers, largely because of the sport’s physical demands, tight match schedules, and limited recovery periods between competitions.

Top clubs are now emphasizing preventive programs focusing on core strength and workload management to reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Even so, the trend is worrying, as it directly affects performance and the long-term development of young talents.

A Tactical Challenge for Xabi Alonso

Mastantuono’s absence is a setback for Xabi Alonso, who views him as a key part of his midfield rotation. The Argentine has missed only two games this season — one of them El Clásico — and started nine of his 12 appearances, scoring once against Levante in late September.

Now, the coach will need to adjust his lineup for Anfield, where Real Madrid will look to continue their European momentum without one of their brightest young players.