A crisis is expected to erupt between Real Madrid and the Argentine Football Association over Franco Mastrantuono.
According to journalist José Luis Sánchez, the Argentine Football Association is hoping to secure Real Madrid’s approval for Mastrantuono’s participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled to begin at the end of September in Chile.
The association believes Mastrantuono’s participation in the tournament is crucial to bringing home the title, but this cannot happen without Real Madrid’s approval, given that the tournament is not included in FIFA’s list of regular international breaks, just like the Olympics.
If Mastrantuono participates with Argentina in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and reaches the final, his absence will extend to more than a month, meaning Real Madrid will miss at least seven matches between La Liga and the Champions League.
Real Madrid has yet to make a decision on this matter, but it’s likely Florentino Pérez’s management will reject it, especially since coach Xabi Alonso relies heavily on the player and considers him a key player in his team this season.
Mastantiuono is highly regarded in Argentina, and there is tremendous faith in his abilities. This is evident in the fact that he wore the number 10 shirt in the match against Ecuador when Lionel Messi was rested.
However, Alonso constantly encourages Mastantiuono and relies on him in the starting lineup. Missing seven matches would be a major crisis, and there is a risk of physical exhaustion leading to a long-term injury. Therefore, it’s unlikely that the coach or Real Madrid would accept his departure to Chile.
