Franco Mastantuono’s adaptation to Real Madrid is progressing well, although the young Argentine midfielder is still awaiting medical clearance to return to competition. In the middle of his recovery, the former River Plate player gave a revealing interview to Cadena SER, sharing reflections that are already making waves in both Spain and Argentina.

The Madrid youngster had no doubts when asked who the best footballer on the planet is. For him, Leo Messi remains the undisputed king of the sport. 

“I’m at the biggest club in the world, but the best footballer in the world is Messi, and he will be until the day he retires,” he said.

Mastantuono highlighted the privilege of training alongside the number 10 with the national team and admitted that even his own teammates remain astonished by him: “Every time he touches the ball, he leaves you speechless.”

He also spoke about the emotional weight of wearing the number 10 for Argentina, a shirt loaded with history and responsibility. “It’s incredible to wear the number that Messi and Diego Maradona wore. It was one of the best moments of my life,” he recalled.
The midfielder even revealed he didn’t know he would be wearing it: “I walked into the dressing room and was surprised to see it there.”

An Inevitable Comparison… But With a Clear Winner: Lamine Yamal

The interview touched on a topic that has been circulating for months: the comparison between Mastantuono and Lamine Yamal, two of the most promising young players in world football. Although he doesn’t enjoy that territory, the Madrid midfielder was direct and honest.

“I don’t like comparisons, but it’s nice to have rivals at Lamine’s level, from Barcelona. It motivates you to improve,” he explained.

He didn’t dodge the most delicate question: who is better right now?
The answer surprised everyone:
“Right now, Lamine. He’s showing an incredible level.”

Mastantuono also put his response into context: he has just arrived in European football, is still in the adaptation phase and hopes to soon reach the competitive rhythm that Madrid demands. “Hopefully it will be a long story filled with games like the last one we played, which was incredible,” he added.

A Future Defined by Rivalry and Respect

As the Argentine continues integrating into Madrid’s system, his praise for Lamine Yamal reinforces the idea of a healthy rivalry that could define Spanish football in the coming years.
Both are young, both carry enormous expectations, and both have ceilings that seem nowhere near being reached.

What’s clear is that Mastantuono, despite being labeled a “Madrid jewel,” keeps his feet on the ground: he recognizes the rival, respects the master, and promises to work to meet the demands of the stage ahead.