Excluded from the squad, Real Madrid's €45 million world star is leaving
Aug 1, 2026 · 00:00
Sportposzt already indicated days ago that Franco Mastantuono could leave Real Madrid on loan, and now there is another sign that the deal has reached the finish line. The royal guard announced the squad for the preparation match against Fiorentina, from which the Argentine, signed a year ago for €45 million, was left out.
Mourinho is no longer counting on him
Real Madrid's management has made a final decision: Mastantuono will spend the next season on loan, which is why he was not included in the squad against Fiorentina either. The Madrid team still counts on the 19-year-old attacking midfielder in the long term, so they only allow a loan agreement that does not include a purchase option. The club wants to direct him to a European team; a return to River Plate is currently not on the agenda.
We have previously reported that head coach José Mourinho cannot guarantee regular playing time for Mastantuono, so the club's management is thinking about a loan for the sake of his development. In recent weeks, the names of Italian Fiorentina, AC Milan, and AS Roma, as well as several Spanish and French clubs, have emerged as possible destinations.
Franco Mastantuono (30) will not play for Real Madrid this season.
He cost €45 million
Real Madrid activated Mastantuono's €45 million buyout clause in the summer of 2025, thus acquiring River Plate's greatest talent. Although the young Argentine was a member of the starting team for a while and also played in the Champions League, he could not become a stable starter due to his restrained performance and huge competition.
Diomande's arrival also accelerated the decision
Real Madrid has already made several significant reinforcements in the summer: Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Bernardo Silva, and the officially presented Carlos Espí joined the squad, while the signing of Yan Diomande is also in the home stretch.
The continuous reinforcements have further increased the competitive situation, so the club decided that playing on loan is the best solution for Mastantuono now. The goal remains unchanged: to return to the Bernabéu as a dominant player in a year.
