Not Mbappé or Güler: the player who's caught Xabi Alonso's attention the most

Franco Mastantuono has landed in Valdebebas with confidence. The Argentine, who just turned 18 years old, has surprised everyone in his first session with Real Madrid. Neither Kylian Mbappé nor Arda Güler were the center of attention: all eyes were on him.

The young attacking midfielder made an impression in his first training session with his agility, his ability to link up with teammates, and above all, with the maturity he shows despite his youth. With just a couple of touches, he convinced the coaching staff that he can play a leading role from the start.

First day with the best

Mastantuono experienced a very special day. After his official presentation, he put on the training jersey and shared the field with established stars. The intensity was high, but the Argentine adapted quickly.

"They welcomed me very well, I met great people and I enjoyed it a lot," he said in statements to the club's media. He also acknowledged that Madrid's pace is "extremely high," although he sees it as an opportunity to grow: "Playing with the best makes you better."

Xabi Alonso's plan

Xabi Alonso was delighted with what he saw. The coach doesn't plan to wait too long to give him minutes. The idea is for Mastantuono to make his debut this Tuesday against Osasuna at Santiago Bernabéu. He won't be in the starting line-up, but everything indicates that he'll come onto the field in the second half to get a feel for the game.

The club trusts that the Argentine will fit into the dynamic soon. His profile fits Xabi's approach: a quick footballer, with vision and the ability to link lines. In addition, his competitive yet calm character helps him integrate more quickly.

Real Madrid believes it has a generational player on its hands. Mastantuono is considered in Argentina as one of the most promising talents of his generation. His signing was a race against time in which Juni Calafat once again made the difference. PSG and other European giants had him on their radar, but Madrid moved first.

The Argentine's arrival excites not only the club but also the fans. On the day of his presentation, he showed a composure unusual for his age. That poise, combined with his talent, fuels the sense that he's made of something special.

Mastantuono has already taken the first step. In Valdebebas, everyone agrees on one thing: there's a footballer for many years to come.