Edu Aguirre, on Mastantuono and Lamine Yamal: 'It'd be a mistake...'

Real Madrid announced last week the signing of Franco Mastantuono, who has signed with the club until 2031, although he won't join Xabi Alonso's squad until next August 14. The midfielder, only 17 years old, will play the World Cup with River Plate and made his debut this Tuesday in Buenos Aires's victory over Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds (3-1).

Precisely, from the United States, the place where this "new" World Cup is being held, Edu Aguirre joined "El Chiringuito de Jugones" and asked for patience with Mastantuono, with whom patience will be needed because he requires an "adaptation" to European soccer.

"A kid for whom Madrid pays 50 million isn't coming to be a starter, he's coming to win the Ballon d'Or.  Let's say he's a potential Ballon d'Or winner. What we can't do is have him come to Real Madrid at 17 and by October we're already destroying him," Aguirre added in his argument.

Mastantuono was followed by Madrid for many months and, during last summer, the club seriously considered signing him. In the end, it was called off due to River's financial demands, which required paying the player's release clause (45 million euros) in one go. The matter cooled down, but it was reactivated a few days ago, when PSG entered the race for the footballer.

Comparisons with Yamal

Aguirre also addressed on "El Chiringuito" the possible debates Mastantuono will spark and, above all, the comparisons many will make with Lamine Yamal. "It would be a mistake and unfair to compare Mastantuono with Lamine, who's been with Barça in the first team since he was 15..." the journalist stated.

"Mastantuono needs a five or six-month adaptation period, and it should be clear if the kid has it. Rodrygo spent six months at Castilla, Vinícius, too, and look at them now..." Aguirre added amid laughter from the Barça supporters, led by Carmé Barceló and Toni Freixa.