Alfredo Di Stefano, Mario Kempes, Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Riquelme, Lionel Messi. Just some of the superstar names from a certain South American country down the years. Throughout footballing history, Argentina have had the envious habit of producing world class talent. A football-crazy nation with a population of just under 50 million continues to churn out superstars. They lifted the World Cup for the first time since 1986 in Qatar in 2022, and have won back-to-back Copa Américas. It seems we are in another golden age of Argentinian football, and it’s reflected in the youngsters coming through in the country right now.

In the red and white sector of Buenos Aires, River Plate seem to be the best at generating young stars that go on to get big moves to European clubs. Such is the economy in Argentina, the country is used to losing it’s best talents to rich clubs in Europe, and in recent seasons, River have made a number of big sales. They sold Enzo Fernández to Benfica for what, with add-ons following his later move to Chelsea, reached a fee of €44.25 million. Julian Álvarez went to Manchester City for €21.4m in 2022, and 18-year-old Claudio Echeverri will also join the Sky Blues next summer for €18m. But the latest teenage talent at River to catch the eye is 17-year-old attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono.

Mastantuono, currently valued at €13m, is one of the most exciting young players in the South American continent right now, and has recently been linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona. At just 17 years of age, he has already made 36 appearances for River’s first team, and has been compared to English star Phil Foden. He may just be the latest gem in Argentina’s crown. With expert insight form Argentina, we reveal everything you need to know about the teenage sensation.

The inside track on Franco Mastantuono

Scott Christensen is Transfermarkt’s South America Area Manager and is based in the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. He has been following Mastantuono’s career closely and revealed the furore in Argentina about River’s latest talent: “He started playing in the first division for a top club like River at just 16 years old. So there’s a big excitement because that’s not usual for us. He has a huge personality. In tough moments such as the Copa Libertadores games or the ‘Superclasico’ against Boca Juniors, the guy is trusted.” Mastantuono was recently subbed on in a fiery Copa Libertadores semi-final at El Monumental.

Any young top attacking talent that emerges from Argentina naturally draws comparisons with the great Messi. But Christensen explains more about the type of player Mastantuono is, “He’s a small offensive midfielder as many Argentinians are. He’s very talented, he’s left-footed, and he’s very good at playing between the lines. He creates a lot of trouble because he’s small and hard to get. He’s very creative and has good shots and good passing skills.” Christensen then added who Mastantuono reminded him of: “If I look at the European football, I think Phil Foden is quite similar. I think Foden has a better strike than Mastantuono but he’s still young, so probably going to improve a lot.”

The comparisons don’t stop there either, as Christensen continues, “He also reminds me of the original Rodrigo De Paul when he used to play in Argentina. He used to play as an offensive midfielder for Racing, and the guy was really intense, as you see him now, but not running so much in defence, but more in attack. So, Mastantuono is that kind of that player, he’s always pressuring the defenders, he’s moving, looking for the ball, he’s always an option for his teammates. He’s quite annoying for a defender because he doesn’t stop, he’s always in movement. So, yeah, I think a mix between De Paul and Foden. I’ve seen Spanish newspapers comparing him with Federico Valverde, but in my opinion, it’s nothing he’s nothing like Valverde.”

Manchester United, Real Madrid or Arsenal – who will sign Mastantuono?

It already seems like a matter of time before Mastantuono is playing in one of Europe’s top leagues. Reports suggest that Real Madrid are the current front runners, but with Man United and Arsenal among other clubs seriously interested. And, as Christensen reveals, he could be available for a enticing price, “If Manchester United for example came to River and offered them €20m or €25m, I think they would probably accept the offer, because club’s here can’t handle like a huge offer and reject it, because the economy is not great. I mean, our clubs are exporters, so we need the money to grow better talents and buy new players.”

Christensen continues, “The biggest transfer in our history was Javier Saviola, which was €37m like 25 years ago. And if you check out more recent examples, such as Fernández or Álvarez, they were both sold for around €20m. Enzo’s fee rose because of the sell-on percentage they had when he was sold to Chelsea. So I mean, think if around a €20m offer came into River, they’ll probably accept it. If the guy would be playing for example in Brazil his market value would be much higher because of the market itself. It’s a different situation in Argentina and the economy isn’t good enough so the clubs and the market values couldn’t go that high as we know the player value can go in the future.”

Asked if he thinks Mastantuono is suited to the Premier League, Christensen said, “Definitely, because as I said at the beginning, he’s really intense and constantly in movement. And he’s fast and I think it would be the perfect league for him. Much more than, for example, Serie A. I think La Liga maybe would fit for him if he plays in a team like Real Madrid that’s really offensive and always in contact with the ball. But in my opinion, the Premier League would be the ideal league for him.” Those words could have the likes of Man United and Arsenal upping their pursuit for the teenager. There’s certain to be a huge battle between Europe’s top clubs to try and convince Mastantuono to sign for them. The world is at his feet.