Real Madrid youngster Franco Mastantuono impresses Jose Mourinho in pre-season reset

Franco Mastantuono has forced his way back into Jose Mourinho’s thinking at Real Madrid after an eye-catching start to pre-season that could transform his future at the club, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

The 19-year-old Argentine, whose long-term prospects at the Bernabeu had been in doubt after an inconsistent debut campaign, has been one of the standout performers in the opening days of training and is understood to have surprised Mourinho with his level both technically and physically.

Real Madrid have been working at their Valdebebas base for the past 11 days, with several internationals still absent following summer commitments. Mourinho has used the reduced squad to reassess players whose status had been questioned after a below-par season, and Mastantuono has emerged as one of the main beneficiaries.

The former River Plate midfielder is said to be among the players who have made the strongest impression on the Portuguese coach as he shapes his new team – from identifying his core starters to refining his preferred playing style. With further departures expected and at least one new signing still possible, Mastantuono has shown enough in training to convince Mourinho he can compete seriously for a place in the starting XI.

Long-standing admiration within Real Madrid

Marca reports that Mourinho’s appreciation of Mastantuono has not come from nowhere. Xabi Alonso, who gave the green light for his signing last season, had already highlighted the teenager’s potential, as had Alvaro Arbeloa during his time coaching in the club’s youth system.

Mastantuono’s arrival was one of the most talked-about deals at Real Madrid last year, with the club investing around €60m to bring in a player widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects in South American football. Alonso believed his best position was on the right wing and handed him a series of chances to prove himself there.

The youngster began the campaign in encouraging fashion. He started in the Copa del Rey tie against Albacete, then made his first European appearance from the outset against Monaco and also featured against Benfica. In La Liga, he was given regular minutes early on, suggesting he was on course for a significant role in the team.

Setbacks derail debut season

However, his rhythm was disrupted as his game time gradually decreased. The turning point came when he was sent off in stoppage time against Getafe, earning a two-match suspension that halted his momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

From that moment, Mastantuono slowly lost his place in the starting line-up and his confidence visibly suffered. His disappointment was compounded when he was left out of Argentina’s squad for the World Cup, despite having been viewed as one of the brightest emerging talents in Argentine football.

The combination of a mixed first season and his high transfer fee fuelled speculation over his future, with questions inside and outside the club about whether he would be able to justify the investment.

Mourinho sees key qualities for new project

Marca says Mourinho, much like Alonso before him, particularly values Mastantuono’s intensity out of possession and his willingness to lead the high press – attributes the Portuguese coach considers fundamental to his new project at Real Madrid.

The coaching staff are currently focused on rebuilding the player’s self-belief and creating the conditions for him to display the talent that persuaded the club to sign him. Internally, there is a recognition that adapting to European football can take time, especially for a teenager experiencing his first season away from Argentina.

A loan move had been viewed as a serious option, mirroring the path taken by Brazilian forward Endrick, who has joined Lyon and is expected to work under Mourinho there in the new campaign. In Mastantuono’s case, however, Real Madrid are not contemplating a permanent sale.

Interest from England, Italy and La Liga rivals

Mastantuono’s situation has attracted attention across Europe. In recent weeks, clubs from the Premier League and Serie A have been linked with a loan move, while a temporary switch within La Liga also remains on the table.

Villarreal and Real Sociedad are among the Spanish clubs reported to be interested in taking him for the season if Madrid opt to send him out for more regular first-team football.

For now, though, his performances at Valdebebas have given Mourinho and the Real Madrid hierarchy a fresh dilemma: whether to use pre-season as a platform for Mastantuono to consolidate a role in the first-team squad, or to allow him to continue his development elsewhere with the clear intention of bringing him back.