Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono (19) was officially presented as a new Fiorentina player on Thursday. The former River Plate star, on loan from Real Madrid until mid-2027 without a purchase option, opened his heart about his complicated spell in Spain, praised two Argentine World Cup champions who helped him choose this new challenge, and revealed what really happened with that viral beach video.

Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono is already wearing the purple jersey of Fiorentina. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who came through the famous River Plate youth system, was officially presented on Thursday and gave his first press conference in Florence. The city has gone wild for the former Real Madrid man, who was loaned out for a season and a half (until mid-2027) with no buy option.

Key facts about the transfer: Loan until June 30, 2027, no purchase option, wearing jersey #30, already made his debut with 32 minutes in the 4-1 win over Benevento in the Italian Cup.

A difficult farewell to Real Madrid

Mastantuono honestly explained the tough year he had at the white club, playing 35 matches but only scoring 3 goals. His transfer from River Plate to Real Madrid had been a record for Argentine football, around 45 million euros.

"Everyone in Madrid had a complicated season. It wasn't easy. Those experiences always help you improve and learn. Florence is not a payback to anyone—it's a chance to show the player I am and help Fiorentina return to greatness."

During his season in Spain, he worked under Xabi Alonso, then Álvaro Arbeloa (interim), and later José Mourinho—who didn't count on him for the next project. That's why Madrid accepted to loan him out, so Mastantuono would get minutes and keep growing in Europe.

🎥 The viral video and his favorite players

Mastantuono also talked about that clip that blew up on social media, showing him playing football barefoot on a beach with a bunch of kids. “I was just playing with some guys, like anyone would. I'm a normal person, though people don't see those everyday scenes of footballers."

When asked about Fiorentina legends, he was quick to name Gabriel Batistuta: “Batistuta did incredible things here. He's one of my biggest references in football." He also mentioned two Argentine World Cup champions who helped him make the move: Lucas Martínez Quarta and Nico González—who won Copa América 2021 and 2024 with Argentina. “They only spoke very well of this city, and of the people."

In his new dressing room, he also found another compatriot, Mateo Pellegrino, and he's now working under manager Fabio Grosso, who replaced Paolo Vanoli.

📊 About Fiorentina

Club: Fiorentina

Loan: until 2027, no option to buy

Debut: Italian Cup vs Benevento (4-1, 32 min)

Jersey number: 30 (same as at River)

Last season in Serie A: 15th place with 42 points

Last trophy: Italian Cup 2000-01

🎙️ What Mastantuono said:
  • "It was me who chose to change clubs"
  • "Fiorentina convinces me because it's a growing club"
  • "For me, football is still a game, even if it's my job"
  • "The fans already received me like family. It feels like commitment, not pressure"

⚽ Next match: Roma, with another Argentinian star

Mastantuono already played his first minutes in the purple jersey: he played 32 minutes in the 4-1 win over Benevento in the Italian Cup, and looked sharp connecting with teammates, showing the skill he had at River.

His Serie A debut could come as soon as Monday, August 24 (4:45 PM in Argentina), when Fiorentina faces Paulo Dybala's Roma away. The young playmaker is hungry: "It will be a nice game. I'm ready, I want to show who I am."

Sources: Infobae · El Destape