According to AS, Real Madrid’s focus during the current international break has quietly shifted from injury concerns to the club’s next generation of stars — and at the center of that spotlight is 17-year-old Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono.
The teenage sensation, who arrived from River Plate in a highly anticipated summer move, is already making waves at the Santiago Bernabéu. And while global headlines often revolve around Kylian Mbappé or Vinícius Júnior, Mastantuono has named a different kind of inspiration inside Madrid’s dressing room — Jude Bellingham.
Speaking to ESPN while on international duty with Argentina, Mastantuono — who is managing minor hamstring discomfort following Real Madrid’s 3–1 win over Villarreal — opened up about the players who have most influenced his game.
“The three players who impressed me the most? First, Messi. Then, Bellingham — he’s really impressed me a lot. A great player, especially in training; I saw that he was different from the rest. And lastly, Julián Álvarez — I suffered against him in the last game,” the midfielder revealed.
His praise for Bellingham wasn’t just casual flattery. The Englishman has been a transformative figure under Xabi Alonso, combining leadership, creativity, and maturity well beyond his years. For Mastantuono, training alongside such a talent has clearly left an impression.
Since joining Los Blancos, the Argentine youngster has already featured in multiple matchday squads, showcasing the confidence Alonso has in his potential. It’s a validation of Real Madrid’s continued faith in developing young, technically gifted players who can complement their star-studded core.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Mastantuono has gushed over Bellingham’s brilliance. Following Madrid’s 4–1 Copa del Rey victory over Levante just weeks ago, he described his teammate as:
“An incredible player! A great person and a unique footballer. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone like him — so calm, so confident, with an unbelievable presence on the pitch.”
He added that Bellingham’s mix of composure and intensity sets him apart:
“His calmness and determination make him a different player.”
Mastantuono’s words reflect the growing respect Madrid’s new generation has for Bellingham — a player who’s quickly become both a role model and a leader in the dressing room.
For Real Madrid fans, it’s another glimpse into the future: a young Argentine prodigy learning directly from one of football’s brightest stars — a combination that could define the next era at the Bernabéu.
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