Franco Mastantuono has been named in the IFFHS Men’s Youth World Team, the ideal XI selected by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics and composed of players under 20 years old. The list was released as part of the organization’s annual recognitions highlighting the most outstanding young talents in world football.
The selected team includes French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes of Toulouse FC. The defense is made up of England’s Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal FC, alongside Spaniards Pau Cubarsí of FC Barcelona and Dean Huijsen, who is linked to AFC Bournemouth and Real Madrid.
Mastantuono was chosen in midfield together with Warren Zaïre-Emery from Paris Saint-Germain, Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC, and Arda Güler of Real Madrid. The attacking trio is formed by Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, Désiré Doué of PSG, and Estêvão, currently associated with Palmeiras and Chelsea FC.
Mastantuono’s immediate future is currently tied to Real Madrid. Reports in Spain indicate that several European clubs, including SSC Napoli, explored the possibility of a loan move. Real Madrid declined any approach without the need for a formal offer, reaffirming its stance on the player’s importance.
The club views Mastantuono as a key element in its long-term planning. The investment made last summer, reported to exceed €60 million, reflected that confidence and allowed Madrid to move ahead of competitors such as Paris Saint-Germain. His development at River Plate played a major role in that decision, following his emergence as one of the most closely monitored young players in South America.
After arriving in Europe, Mastantuono made an immediate impact. He needed only two league matches to earn a place in the starting lineup under Xabi Alonso and soon after became the second-youngest player to debut for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. His first league goal came against Levante UD, a strike that made him the fourth-youngest scorer in Real Madrid’s La Liga history at 18 years and 40 days.
On November 3, Mastantuono suffered a pubalgia injury that forced him to pause his progress and begin a carefully managed recovery process. Since then, his appearances have been limited, with the focus placed on long-term fitness rather than short-term returns. Despite the setback, his objective of establishing himself at Real Madrid remains unchanged.
Mastantuono already holds a national-team record, having become the youngest Argentine to make his debut in an official match. If he features in Argentina’s opening World Cup game, he would surpass the mark previously held by Lionel Messi by 20 days.
His inclusion in the IFFHS Youth World Team stands in contrast to the senior Men’s World XI, where for the first time since 2017 no Argentine player was selected. That streak had remained intact until last year, when Emiliano Martínez represented Argentina.
