Franco Mastantuono's Future at Stake as Mourinho Weighs Decision Post-Preseason

Young Argentine Franco Mastantuono faces a crucial phase in his career with Real Madrid, as his future with the first team is under discussion within the club, weighing between giving him another chance to prove himself or loaning him out next season for regular playing time.

According to Spanish media reports, coach José Mourinho wants to see the player during the preseason before making a final decision, with the team returning to training on July 13, marking the beginning of evaluating the future of the 18-year-old player.

Mastantuono joined Real Madrid a year ago for a fee of €63.2 million, following a fierce competition with Paris Saint-Germain for his signature, amid high expectations that he would become one of the rising stars in Argentine football.

However, his first season did not go as hoped, as he suffered from a complicated groin injury that kept him away from his level for extended periods. The player's struggles lasted around 134 days, between training, matches, and ongoing pain, before he ultimately stopped playing in November for treatment and full recovery.

Despite currently being recovered, the player and those around him understand that the injury is not the only reason for his diminished presence, as close associates admit he did not perform to the expected level during some periods when he could have proven himself.

Mastantuono prioritizes getting regular playing time next season, but fierce competition within Real Madrid complicates his task, with prominent names like Jude Bellingham, Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, and Endrick in the mix.

Last season's statistics reflect the difficulties the player faced, as he participated in only 1,484 minutes out of 5,040 minutes played by the team, amounting to 29% of the total minutes, and started in only 17 matches out of 56, averaging 42 minutes per game.

The second half of the season saw an even greater decline, as he went through a streak of 19 consecutive matches without appearing in the starting lineup, which contributed to his exclusion from Argentina's squad for the World Cup, completing his disappointment in a challenging first season with the royal club.

Reports confirmed that the option of a permanent sale is not on the table at Real Madrid, while the decision lies between keeping the player with the first team or loaning him out for one season, with Mourinho set to finalize the matter after monitoring his performance during the summer preparations.