Injury Storm Hits Real Madrid: Mastantuno Out During International Break as Mbappé Faces Ankle Woes
11 October 2025
Injury Update: Mastantuno sidelined and Mbappé's ankle concerns
Franco Mastantuno, the emerging Real Madrid talent, picked up an injury during the ongoing international window. On X, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano stated that Mastantuno is dealing with muscular fatigue and will return to Madrid for evaluation by the national team’s medical staff, with no indication of a serious injury at this stage.
In the same vein, renowned journalist Jose Luis Sanchez, known for the Shireguito program, posted that Mastantuno left the national squad due to muscle fatigue and will head back to Madrid for tests. He added that there is no alarming diagnosis behind the news, a relief for Madrid’s fans who fear another long layoff.
Franco Mastantuno was born on August 14, 2007, in Azul, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, and is considered one of the brightest young talents in world football. He grew up in a sporting milieu, beginning football under the guidance of his father, who coached the River Plate youth team in Azul, where his talent quickly started to shine.
As a child, his talents weren’t limited to football; he also excelled in tennis and even reached a national level with youth championships, though his passion always leaned toward football. At 11, he joined the Simeinto Armado club before moving to River Plate’s academy in 2019, starting a journey that would soon catch the eye of Europe.
At River Plate, Mastantuno swiftly proved his merit and signed his first professional contract in August 2023, with a release clause of around 30 million euros, signaling the club’s high expectations for his future.
In January 2024, he made his official first-team debut, becoming one of River Plate’s youngest players in official competition. He then scored his first goal in February 2024, making him the club’s youngest-ever scorer and surpassing the record previously held by Javier Saviola.
His playing style blends technical flair, speed, and a keen eye for goal. Primarily deployed as a right winger or attacking midfielder, he is left-footed and skilled at set pieces and dribbling past defenders. Analysts compare him to South American greats and highlight not only his attacking prowess but also a growing tactical understanding and willingness to contribute defensively.
Coaches and assistants emphasize his mature game intelligence and his ability to function within a team, even when pressed higher up the pitch. Internationally, Mastantuno progressed through Argentina’s youth teams, earning call-ups for the Under-17s and later the Under-20s, before receiving his first senior national team invitation in May 2025. He became the youngest player to officially wear Argentina’s senior national team number at 17 years and 296 days.
In the summer of 2025, Mastantuno joined Real Madrid after a fierce transfer race among Europe’s top clubs. He arrived in La Liga with high expectations, as Madrid fans anticipated a new era of excitement and potential, hoping he would mirror the continental breakthroughs once achieved by South American stars.
His promise continues to be a staple in football press and analysis, with many publications predicting a bright future if he remains grounded, disciplined, and injury-free.
Mbappé injury
In a parallel note, the French national team confirmed that Kylian Mbappé suffered a new right ankle issue during the France vs. Azerbaijan match, forcing him to return to Madrid and miss France’s trip to Iceland. The French federation stated he would not be replaced for the upcoming fixture, and the player’s return to training at Clairefontaine was described by captain Didier Deschamps as a precaution due to ankle sensitivity and a painful knock.
Mbappé had previously endured ankle problems while with Real Madrid. The federation’s update noted that his comeback would be evaluated on arrival back at his club, with no immediate plan to call up a substitute for the national team. During the Azerbaijan match, Mbappé opened the scoring in the 45+2 minute before receiving a knock at 52 and later being substituted for Tovan in the 82nd minute as a precaution.
Deschamps’ post-match comments underscored the seriousness of the discomfort: “Mbappé is dealing with ankle sensitivity and took a hard knock. He chose to leave the pitch because the pain was intense,” the coach said after their victory.【Note: injuries during international windows often ripple through club and national teams, and this is a classic case of how a star can complicate a season before it begins.】
