Real Madrid secured an important 2-1 win over Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite going behind early to a Vedat Muriqi goal, Los Blancos quickly turned things around with strikes from Arda Güler and Vinicius Junior. The match once again showcased Madrid’s individual brilliance players capable of changing the game in an instant.
But beyond the three points, all eyes were also on Franco Mastantuono. The young Argentine was handed a rare start, but his performance fell short of the high expectations that have followed him since his arrival.
Madrid is well aware that integrating a young talent is never an overnight process. Mastantuono arrived with enormous potential, but adapting to the pace and physicality of La Liga takes time. Patience is key here.
Mallorca, despite not having won a game all season, gave Madrid a scare in the first half. Muriqi’s opener put the home side under pressure, but Madrid responded emphatically two quick goals in the space of a minute flipped the game on its head.
Arda Güler kicked off the comeback with a header in the 37th minute, and Vinicius Junior followed it up almost immediately with a second. From there, Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a composed performance to help preserve the lead until the final whistle.
The Bernabéu, which had been briefly silenced, erupted once more. The rapid turnaround served as another reminder: when it matters most, Madrid’s stars always seem to deliver.
For Mastantuono, this was a learning experience more than anything. The 18 year old managed just one shot on target and struggled with possession, eventually being subbed off after 66 minutes.
That said, he did come close to grabbing a moment of glory. A sharp move inside the box led to what looked like Madrid’s third goal, only to be ruled out by VAR. He also showed good work ethic tracking back to support the defense, particularly when Alexander-Arnold needed cover.
It's completely understandable that he's not firing on all cylinders yet. This was only his second start since moving to Spain, and he’s still adjusting to Madrid’s tempo and the demands of La Liga.
Signed from River Plate in August 2025, Mastantuono joined Los Blancos in a deal worth €45 million (around IDR 840 billion), committing to a six-year contract. That fee alone reflects just how much faith Madrid has in his potential.
He made his debut against Osasuna on August 19, just two weeks after his official unveiling. Since then, he’s been gradually integrated into Xabi Alonso’s plans. While consistency will take time, the opportunities are already coming his way.
Madrid isn’t rushing him to become a game-changer overnight. This is a long-term investment. Given the right support and time to grow, Mastantuono has every chance to become a key piece of Real Madrid’s future.
