Argentine legend says Real Madrid new signing reminds him of former club icon | OneFootball

Real Madrid announced their third signing of the summer on Friday and the move can be considered as massive, if not bigger, than the swoops for Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Indeed, the third player Real Madrid have signed this summer is Franco Mastantuono, the Argentine phenom they have been monitoring for a few years now and who is considered one of the next big things in football.

Despite the player being just 16, the men in white shelled out close to €60 million on his acquisition and it is clear that they bet on him massively going forward.

Saviola speaks on Mastantuono

Speaking to MARCA in a recent interaction, Argentina legend Javier Saviola opened up on Real Madrid’s latest signing Franco Mastantuono on whom the club spent big considering he is just 17.

“It reminds me a lot of what my first steps were,” he began, recollecting his own journey.

“At the age of 16, I made my debut in River and at 19 I was already at Barça. Mastantuono is now experiencing something similar,” he added.

Javier Saviola expects special things of Mastantuono. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Praising the young midfielder for his quality, maturity and ability to make a difference on the field in the attacking third, he compared Mastantuono to a former Real Madrid playmaker and one of the greats of the game.

“For me, it has nothing to do with Lamine Yamal, but he does look like James Rodríguez.”

“He is a footballer of the palate of Real Madrid,” he added, attesting Real Madrid’s transfer decision.

Finally, he spoke about how the youngster must strive to adapt quickly in Madrid and how the pressure of playing for Los Blancos is something different.

“The most difficult thing is to leave your environment, to leave your safety zone. Surround yourself well and adapt quickly is key.”

“If you endure the pressure of playing in River, you are ready for Madrid,” he added.