Xabi Alonso on Franco Mastantuono: 'He has that Argentine grit and competitive spirit'

Xabi Alonso

Read about Xabi Alonso's thoughts on Real Madrid's upcoming fixtures and how he plans to utilize new signings like Franco Mastantuono.

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are looking to step up their game as they visit Real Oviedo on Sunday, following a less-than-convincing 1-0 win against Osasuna in their La Liga opener. Alonso's team will be eager to show more fluidity in their play as they take on the newly-promoted side from Asturias.

Oviedo's return to Spain's top flight after nearly 24 years will be a significant occasion, especially with a sell-out crowd of 30,000 fans expected at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere. The team, coached by Serbian former player Veljko Paunovic, had a tough start to the season, losing 2-0 away at Villarreal in their first game back in the elite. Oviedo will be looking to make a statement against the league champions.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, will be without some of their regular starters for parts of the match or might experiment with different lineups. Teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono, who made his La Liga debut off the bench against Osasuna, could see more playing time. Mastantuono, signed from River Plate, is tipped for a big future and has already impressed Alonso with his Argentine grit and competitive spirit.

❇️ Mastantuono
❇️Carreras pic.twitter.com/CIzR2aIv0s

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 22, 2025

After their Copa del Rey match against Tudelano, Real Oviedo faced a tight schedule as they prepared to host Real Madrid in LaLiga. The team, led by Serbian coach Veljko Paunovic, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Villarreal in their first game back in the top flight, with Santi Cazorla making a late appearance off the bench and Salomon Rondon leading the attack.

Oviedo will now face a daunting challenge as they host 15-time European champions Real Madrid at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere, which is expected to be packed with a sell-out crowd of 30,000 fans. The team will need to regroup quickly and find a way to contain the attacking prowess of Real Madrid if they hope to cause an upset.

Xabi Alonso took the reins at Real Madrid just before the Club World Cup, where his team reached the semifinals but suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. Despite this setback, Alonso used the loss as a learning experience and made significant changes to the team.

After a brief offseason break, Real Madrid returned to training and began their La Liga campaign with a narrow 1-0 win against Osasuna, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappé penalty. This win marked the start of their league journey under Alonso's guidance.

Key Highlights of Real Madrid's Recent Performance:

• Club World Cup Semifinal Loss: Real Madrid lost 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, with PSG dominating possession and scoring four unanswered goals.

• La Liga Opener: Real Madrid edged Osasuna 1-0 with a penalty scored by Kylian Mbappé, showcasing their attacking prowess.

• Upcoming Match: Real Madrid will face Real Oviedo on August 24, 2025, at the Carlos Tartiere stadium, seeking to build momentum in La Liga.

Alonso's tenure as Real Madrid's coach has been marked by both promise and challenges. His experimental approach in the Club World Cup semifinal didn't pay off, but he's since adjusted his strategy to focus on more fluid play. With new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, Real Madrid aims to improve their defensive solidity and attacking flair.

Real Madrid's head coach, Xabi Alonso, reflected on the team's 1-0 win against Osasuna, saying, “After a two-week pre-season, against a team who had longer, there were things missing but the result gives us stability going forward.” This hard-fought victory marked the debuts of new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, as well as left-back Alvaro Carreras, who joined from Benfica.

The match showcased Real Madrid's determination, with goals from experienced players proving crucial in securing the win. Alonso's comments highlight the team's awareness of areas for improvement, particularly given the shorter pre-season period compared to their opponents. Despite these challenges, the team is focused on building momentum as the season progresses.

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid will look to improve their performance as they take on Real Oviedo, following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Osasuna. Teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono made his La Liga debut in the previous match, coming off the bench to make an impact. Alonso will be keen to see his team play more fluidly and cohesively, especially with a favorable run of fixtures ahead of the intense derby against Atletico Madrid in late September.

Real Madrid's upcoming schedule looks relatively manageable before the derby, providing an opportunity for the team to build momentum and refine their tactics. With new signings integrating into the squad, Alonso will be focused on finding the right balance and consistency in performance. The match against Oviedo will serve as a crucial test for the team as they aim to maintain their winning streak.

Franco Mastantuono: A Rising Star in Football

Franco Mastantuono, a talented 17-year-old Argentine midfielder, has joined Real Madrid from River Plate in a record-breaking deal worth €63.2 million. This transfer makes him the most expensive player from Argentina and one of the most promising young talents in football. Mastantuono signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid, committing him to the club until 2031.

😮‍💨 Slick.
🧉 Mastantuono pic.twitter.com/Dnfw9GSW4K

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 22, 2025

Mastantuono's impressive skills on the field caught the attention of several top European clubs, including PSG, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United. However, he chose Real Madrid after a personal phone call from coach Xabi Alonso, who believes Mastantuono is better than Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and considers him a key player for the team.

The young midfielder made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid off the bench against Osasuna and is expected to make a significant impact for the team. With his exceptional talent and dedication, Mastantuono is tipped for a huge future in football.

Real coach Xabi Alonso praises Mastantuono's “Argentine grit and competitive spirit,” as well as his exceptional ability to play the final pass, which could be crucial in Madrid's attacking plays.

With Rodrygo's potential departure in the transfer window, Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz will likely compete for a spot on the right wing. Mastantuono's impressive debut against Osasuna, coming off the bench, has shown promise, and Alonso will be keen to see him play more fluidly and consistently. Given his recent registration with Real Madrid's reserve side, Castilla, Mastantuono will wear the number 30 shirt and could play a key role in the team's success this season.

Franco Mastantuono's Profile:

• Age: 18
• Nationality: Argentine
• Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
• Current Club: Real Madrid
• Contract: Until June 2031
• Previous Club:nRiver Plate

Mastantuono's dedication to Real Madrid is evident in his statement, “I'll give my life for Real Madrid,” showcasing his commitment to the team. With his skills and determination, he might become a vital part of Alonso's squad.

Key Stats in La Liga

Young Stars: Lamine Yamal and Franco Mastantuono are both 18 years old, with Yamal celebrating his birthday last month and Mastantuono turning 18 just before making his La Liga debut for Real Madrid against Osasuna.

Oviedo's Return: Real Oviedo is ending a 24-year wait to play in La Liga, and they will face Real Madrid on August 24, 2025, at the Carlos Tartiere stadium.

Atletico Madrid's New Look: Atletico Madrid's coach, Diego Simeone, fielded a starting lineup with five new signings against Espanyol on the opening weekend. Despite their fresh lineup, the team suffered a loss and will look to bounce back when they host Elche on Saturday.