Javier Saviola has dismissed comparisons between rising Argentine star Franco Mastantuono and Spain’s Lamine Yamal, insisting the River Plate teenager shares more in common with Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez.
Speaking in the wake of Mastantuono’s transfer to Real Madrid, Saviola, who himself rose to prominence at River Plate before joining Barcelona as a teenager, offered his perspective on the 17-year-old’s rapid rise and move to Europe’s elite.
Yamal, who has Equatorial Guinean and Moroccan roots, has enjoyed a breakout year at Barcelona and with Spain’s national team, becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
But despite their shared status as teenage sensations, Saviola believes the two are fundamentally different players.
“For me, he is nothing like Lamine Yamal,” Saviola told the media. “He resembles James Rodríguez. He’s a player Real Madrid likes.”
Saviola, who played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid during his career, added that Mastantuono’s early steps closely mirror his own journey from River Plate to Europe.
“It reminds me a lot of my first steps,” he said. “Mastantuono is now experiencing something similar.”
The former Argentina forward also touched on the psychological challenges young players face when making high-profile moves abroad, particularly at such a formative age.
“The hardest thing is leaving your surroundings, getting out of your comfort zone. Surrounding yourself well and adapting quickly is key,” Saviola advised. “If you can handle the pressure of playing at River Plate, you’re ready for Real Madrid.”
