Franco Mastantono's Injury Dilemma: Real Madrid's Countdown to Real Sociedad
10 February 2026
Injury Update and Next Steps
Cautious optimism surrounds Real Madrid over the sudden injury.
Real Madrid face the risk of losing one of their key players ahead of Saturday's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad in round 24.
Franco Mastantono appeared after Valencia's last match, walking on crutches after Real Madrid's delegation arrived in Madrid.
According to AS, Mastantono faces a race against time to reach his team's next league game, after taking a heavy blow during his involvement in the Valencia clash.
Despite Madrid's midweek victory at Mestalla with no serious injuries, the 18-year-old player left the pitch clearly in pain, having come on as a 82nd-minute substitute and receiving a severe kick to the thigh that could jeopardize his availability against Real Sociedad.
A wave of cautious optimism remains inside Real Madrid about the Argentinian's health, after the initial diagnosis described muscle bruising, and the technical staff hopes the inflammation has eased enough to allow Mastantono to train normally when the squad returns to practice at 11 a.m.
Mastantono will undergo a thorough examination by the medical team, with further tests possible if needed, though the club rules out a barrier that would keep him from flying to Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday.
Key Stakes for Mastantono and Madrid
The upcoming clash will be a real test in front of the Bernabéu faithful.
The upcoming match carries particular importance for Mastantono, who left his last appearance at the team's ground against Rio Vallecano amid whistles from the crowd. Madrid supporters demand performances that match expectations, especially since his transfer fee surpassed €60 million. After sitting on the bench against Valencia, the decision rests with coach Arbeloa on whether to keep the same tactical setup or reinstate Franco to the starting XI.
Punchline 1: If patience were a weapon, Mastantono would win the war—minimum downtime, maximum drama.
Punchline 2: Madrid's medical staff deserve a standing ovation for turning “out for a bit” into an 85-minute thriller.
