Franco Mastantuono Misses Out on Argentina Squad Amid Struggles at Real Madrid

Franco Mastantuono, one of Real Madrid’s high-profile summer signings, has faced a challenging season marked by inconsistent performances and injury setbacks. Despite early promise, his impact on the team has been limited compared to other newcomers, raising concerns about his development at the club.

The young Argentine winger initially showed potential under Xabi Alonso, but his form declined toward the end of 2025 due to poor performances and struggles with pubalgia. A brief resurgence under Alvaro Arbeloa could not restore him to a regular starting role, leaving him on the fringes of the squad.

Mastantuono’s difficulties at the club level have now affected his international prospects. Despite being valued by Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni, he was omitted from the latest national team squad for the upcoming international break, which serves as the final preparation before the FIFA World Cup.

At just 18 years old, Mastantuono has already earned three senior caps for Argentina, but limited playing time at Real Madrid has stalled his momentum. His last start came against Rayo Vallecano over a month and a half ago, and he has featured only briefly in eight matches since then, creating uncertainty about his readiness for the World Cup.

The remainder of the season will be crucial for Mastantuono’s career, as his performances will determine whether he can regain a starting spot at Madrid and reestablish himself as a contender for Argentina’s World Cup squad. His current situation underscores the challenges young talents face in balancing club development with international expectations.