Franco Mastantuono Hasn’t Forgotten Who Brought Him To Real Madrid
Under Arbeloa’s guidance, Franco Mastantuono has found his best form at the Bernabéu. The Argentine star breaks his silence on his difficult departure from River Plate, his admiration for Florentino Pérez, and his staunch defense of Vinícius Jr. amidst recent criticism
Franco Mastantuono is enjoying his finest form since landing in the Spanish capital. The arrival of Álvaro Arbeloa to the Santiago Bernabéu bench has been the catalyst the young Argentine talent needed to unleash his potential, shining recently in victories against Levante and Monaco. In an exclusive talk with DSport, the former River Plate star opened up about his current situation and the complex journey that led him to wear the white shirt.
The Heart’s Dilemma: "It Was a Painful Decision"
Despite living every footballer's dream, Mastantuono hasn't forgotten his roots. The attacking midfielder confessed that leaving Núñez (River Plate) was far from easy:
"It was a very difficult situation. On one hand, there’s my childhood love and having been raised at a club like River, which has provided for my family since I was 13. On the other, there was the opportunity of a lifetime: Real Madrid," Franco explained.
Although he admitted he "never doubted" the Merengue proposal, he acknowledged that leaving home was tough. However, he left a promise for the future: "My dream will always be to retire at River."
The "Arbeloa Effect" and the Figure of Florentino
Regarding the recent change in leadership following Xabi Alonso’s departure, the Argentine was emphatic about what the new coaching staff has brought to his game:
- Total Confidence: "Álvaro and his entire team gave me a fundamental sense of confidence. That’s why I’m playing with more freedom."
- Gratitude: Although he thanked Xabi for bringing him to the club, he highlighted that Arbeloa is proving key to reaching the group's goals.
- The President: When asked about Florentino Pérez, Mastantuono was brief but striking, defining him as an "imposing" figure.
A Shield for Vinícius and the Bernabéu Ecstasy
The Argentine didn’t shy away from thorny topics and stepped up to defend his teammate Vinícius Jr., who has recently faced criticism due to a slight dip in form. "A top-tier player gets hit hard when they don’t perform at a 9 or 10-point level. To me, he hasn't even had bad games; he simply hasn’t been at the level we’ve grown accustomed to," he noted, emphasizing that the Brazilian’s happiness is vital for the locker room's confidence.
Finally, he described the feeling of celebrating his first goal at the "White Temple": "Scoring a goal at the Bernabéu is pure adrenaline; it's something unique and truly difficult to explain."
